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Horn, ca. 1100–1200
South Italian
Ivory; 17 x 3 1/2 in. (43.2 x 8.9 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.218)

Large decorated elephant tusks were used for both religious and secular purposes. They could be employed as drinking vessels, as horns to announce the hunt, or as symbols of feudal rights. Many were given to churches, and some served as reliquary containers. This example shows Christ as the Lamb of God.


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    Horn, ca. 1100–1200
    South Italian
    Ivory; 17 x 3 1/2 in. (43.2 x 8.9 cm)
    Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.218)