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An Elephant and Keeper

ca. 1650–60
Not on view
This splendid image of an imperial elephant shows the animal tethered in open grassland, close to a Mughal army encampment. He waits patiently as his keeper strips cane and prepares other greens for his meal. Tiny groups of foot soldiers and cavalry may be seen in the distance as well as elephants, camels and a noblewoman’s purdah carriage drawn by bullocks. The now flaked inscription below the image has the impression of being written by emperor Shah Jahan himself and has been speculatively read as giving the name of the elephant as Firuz Jang ("Victorious in war").

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: An Elephant and Keeper
  • Date: ca. 1650–60
  • Geography: Country of Origin India
  • Medium: Opaque color and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 7 1/16 × 8 11/16 in. (18 × 22 cm)
    Frame: 11 1/2 × 13 1/4 × 3/4 in. (29.2 × 33.7 × 1.9 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions, Harris Brisbane Dick, and 2020 Benefit Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks, Lila Acheson Wallace, and Friends of Islamic Art Gifts; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; and funds from various donors, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.187
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
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Dagger with Hilt in the Form of a Blue Bull (Nilgai), Hilt: Nephrite<br/>Blade: Watered steel
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Base for a Water Pipe (Huqqa) with Irises, Zinc alloy; cast, engraved, inlaid with brass (bidri ware)
Base for a Water Pipe (Huqqa) with Irises
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