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Fragment of an Oliphant

11th–12th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 457
Throughout the Mediterranean, hunting was considered a princely or aristocratic activity. Oliphants were signal horns associated with the hunt. This fragment comes from such a horn, and is elaborately carved with interlacing vines that form linked medallions, enclosing mythical beasts and birds, some of which have tails ending in heads or scrolls.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fragment of an Oliphant
  • Date: 11th–12th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Italy, Sicily
  • Medium: Ivory; carved
  • Dimensions: Overall: L. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)
    W. 4 1/8 (10.5 cm)
    D. 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)
  • Classification: Ivories and Bone
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.219
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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