Bronze statuette of a rider wearing an elephant skin

Unknown

3rd century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

As Alexander the Great is represented with a similar elephant skin on coins minted by Ptolemy I of Egypt, this statuette may represent Alexander as ruler of Egypt. This figure has also been identified as Demetrios I of Bactria, who is represented on coins wearing the scalp of an elephant in recognition of his conquests in India. Its monumental quality may signify that it reflects a famous large-scale equestrian statue.

Artist

Unknown

Date

3rd century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Edith Perry Chapman Fund, 1955