AN IVORY CARVING OF AN ELEPHANT, PROBABLY GUJARAT, WESTERN INDIA, 14TH-16TH CENTURY

Carved walking with trunk down, the elephant's head with hair coiffed into registers of coils, a chain around its neck and a leafy branch held at the end of its trunk

In fairly good overall condition, feet of both back legs chipped, cracquelure throughout, lacking end of trunk, patination consistent with age, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The depiction of this elephant is a very competent naturalistic rendition which calls to mind near contemporary models of elephants both in ivory and bronze. A little earlier than this object is an ivory chess piece in the Bibliotheque Nationale, in the form of a nobleman on a caparisonned elephant and thought to be from North-West India (Welch 1985, p.127, no.72). Later, in the 17th century, an elephant in copper alloy, also from Western India, has evolved the coiled hair into two domes of stylised patterning (Pal 1994, p.241, no.107 B). The present figure of an elephant possesses elements of both and stands midway between the two in the evolution of this tradition.