Hunting Horn (Oliphant)

Unknown

18th century · Ivory; carved with gilded silver mounts · Islamic Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Ivory; carved with gilded silver mounts

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917