Fragment of an Oliphant

Unknown

11th–12th century · Ivory; carved · Islamic Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

11th–12th century

Medium

Ivory; carved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917