Oliphant

Unknown

12th–13th century · Ivory; carved, gilded silver and bronze mounts · Islamic Art

Fantastic and real creatures, juxtaposed within roundels, abound on the carved surface of this hunting horn. Ivory tusks of this type, used as reliquaries or symbols of land tenure, were apparently produced for both Muslim and Christian patrons in the medieval Islamic period. Similar motifs in contemporary textiles reveal the popularity of this repeating design.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th–13th century

Medium

Ivory; carved, gilded silver and bronze mounts

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917