The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 19, 2024

Two Elephants in Combat

Two Elephants in Combat

1700–30
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The elephants have been shackled at their back feet to keep them from running free.

Description

Elephants were prized possessions for the Rajput Maharajas of Rajasthan. Not only were elephants a decisive factor in the battlefield, but also represented the owner’s material wealth. Elephant fights were a favorite amusement of the Maharaja, and certain elephants were trained specially for this purpose. The drawing depicts two elephants in combat with each other with their trunks intertwined.
  • {{cite web|title=Two Elephants in Combat|url=false|author=|year=1700–30|access-date=19 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.178