Hunting Horn (Oliphant)

18th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 464
Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, ivory was often used for the hilts of ceremonial weapons as well as for powder horns and primers. Oliphants, or hunting horns, made use of the natural shape of the elephant tusk to produce a resonant sound.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hunting Horn (Oliphant)
  • Date: 18th century
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ivory; carved with gilded silver mounts
  • Dimensions: L. 48 1/2 in. (123.2 cm) (along the curve)
  • Classification: Ivories and Bone
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.226
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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