- Title
- Elephant
- Date Made
- 10th century
- Medium
- Stone, carved
- Dimensions
- 2 5/8 x 3 1/2 in. (6.6 x 8.9 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.73.5.302
- Collecting Area
- Art of the Middle East: Islamic
- Curatorial Notes
This stone elephant presents something of a mystery. Similar carved figures were produced in the early Islamic period as chess pieces, serving as the equivalent of the bishop in the game. This example, however, may have instead been made as a child’s toy and was possibly attached to a larger object, as is suggested by the drill holes through its tail and between its hindquarters.