Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Elephant and Groom
Not on view
Discovered in a princely tomb together with the rhinoceros figure displayed nearby, this elephant attests to the deceased’s fascination with rare animals. Elephants were once native to central China, but by the time of the Han, climate change and excessive hunting had led to their retreat to the far south and southwest of the empire. The present example is a highly realistic representation, not least in its heavily folded hide. The role of the accompanying figure is unclear, but the awkward proportions of his head and torso suggest that he was probably an animal trainer or a dwarf actor.
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