Artwork Page for Carved Bracket

Details / Information for Carved Bracket

Carved Bracket

1600s

South India, probably Madurai

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Medium
Ivory with traces of pigment
Measurements
Overall: 10.2 cm (4 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Edgar A. Hahn 1972.282.1
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Ivory was most often harvested from a recently deceased elephant.

Description

Composite creatures with the body of a lion, tusks and trunk of an elephant, and horns of an antelope are standard elements of medieval Indian architecture and furniture. Traces of pigment indicate that this work was once brightly colored.
An ivory and pigment carving depicts a composite creature with a lion's body and elephant's trunk. Carved vertically, its trunk curls back toward a chest textured with repeating, incised lines. Dark pigment highlights the creature's mane and claws against the cream-colored ivory. Framed by flat rectangular blocks at the top and bottom, the figure shows subtle cracks across its surface, revealing the material's aged and polished texture.

Carved Bracket

1600s

South India, probably Madurai

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