Elephant Eating Foliage

ca. 1700

Not on view

Ahead of a parade, a finely caparisoned royal elephant with bells hanging from its harness enjoys a meal of fresh tree foliage. His mahout (keeper) and assistant are seated on the fine textile saddle blanket. The mahout, a mature bearded man, is dressed in his best attire, likely in anticipation of the parade, including a fine jama (tunic) with a beautiful punch dagger (katar) fixed in his waist sash (patka). He holds a large goad (ankus) and gestures a command with his raised hand as he attempts to restrain the elephant, who is determined to feed, while his assistant holds a long spear with a flying pennant. This witty vignette offers a lively glimpse into the preparations for a state parade, one of the everyday aspects of court ceremonial life.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Elephant Eating Foliage
Date: ca. 1700
Culture: India, Himachal Pradesh, Mankot
Medium: Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: Image: 14 1/2 in. × 15 in. (36.8 × 38.1 cm)
Framed: 19 1/4 in. × 19 1/4 in. × 3/4 in. (48.9 × 48.9 × 1.9 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, by exchange, 2022
Object Number: 2022.250
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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