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Oliphant

12th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
Decorated elephant tusks could be employed as drinking vessels, as horns to announce the hunt, or as symbols of feudal rights. In churches, some served as reliquary containers. As this example shows Christ as the Lamb of God, it probably was made for a Christian patron.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Oliphant
  • Date: 12th century
  • Geography: Made in southern Italy
  • Culture: South Italian
  • Medium: Elephant ivory, metal mounts
  • Dimensions: Overall: 16 15/16 x 3 9/16 in. (43 x 9 cm)
  • Classification: Ivories-Elephant
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.218
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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