Attendant on Horseback Subduing an Elephant
16th century
Description
A large elephant, with a chain around the front right leg, charges at a man on horseback. The gray horse with white speckles rears and twists its head, mouth agape, to face the elephant. Mounted on the horse is a youth with the turban and black plume that spears the elephant at the base of its trunk in an attempt to placate the enraged creature. On the top of the elephant is a elephant drive (mahout) that holds onto a rope tied as a large harness on the elephant as well as an elephant goad (ankus). The expression on the mahout’s face augments the elephant’s uncontrollability. The elephant’s tusks have been cut, rounded, and fitted with gold rings. The elephant wears a collar of bells and has gold ornaments hanging off its backside.
Dimensions
21.7 x 35 cm (8 9/16 x 13 3/4 in.)
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