Mathura Stone Elephant

A rare pink and mottled sandstone carving of an elephant. The elephant has a riding saddle for a mahout, wears a collar and has his trunk curled around a tree. This type of stone carving was usually one of a pair placed at the entrance to a royal shrine or temple. This example is very similar to a famous published example in the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck family collection, New Haven, Conn, USA, from which our elephant also derives. Lovely surface consistent with the attributed period. Mounted on a composite base.
From the Kushan era, Mathura, India, circa 3rd century AD.
Height: 15 inches (38.1 cm.).
HS002