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Pendant in the Shape of a Fish-Tailed Elephant

185–72 BCE

India, Shunga period

(185–78 BCE)
Medium
gold
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1973.63
Public Domain
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Location
242A Ancient India
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Description

Because of water's life-giving properties, animals such as fish and Indian elephants who love the water were considered auspicious. This composite elephant with a playfully raised trunk and a curling fish tail would have been strung as a pendant on a necklace.
A fragmented gold pendant depicts a hybrid creature with an elephant head and a scaly fish tail. Facing left, the head features a curved trunk and textured ears, while short legs are tucked along the bottom. The body transitions into a curved tail with a large circular motif embossed in the center. Dense, detailed patterns cover the surface, and small loops are attached along the top and bottom edges.

Pendant in the Shape of a Fish-Tailed Elephant

185–72 BCE

India, Shunga period (185–78 BCE)

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