INDIA, MAHARASHTRA, 18TH CENTURY

This lot is a splendid example of a cast Indian bronze sculpture depicting a graceful elephant and two figures atop it, a mahout and a deity positioned upona canopied howdah, with the divine figure resting under the covering as they ride on the beast. The elephant is caparisoned with chains and beads and stands atop of a platform ornamented with a lattice pattern. This piece not only highlights the immense skill and craftsmanship that went into the creation of bronzes of Maharashtra, but also the cultural symbolism of fauna in the region.
Bronze sculptures and statuettes depicting Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain icons have been unearthed across various regions of India, spanning from the second century onwards. These artifacts are renowned for their exceptional beauty and aesthetic allure.
The posture of the elephant itself is uniquely commanding, with its head raised and tusks pointing forward. The sculpture conveys a strong sense of direction and movement in this way. Moreover, the smaller scale of the figures emphasizes the grandeur of the animal. These visual characteristics align with elephants’ symbolic significance in south Asian culture; the elephant has become representative of royalty, power, strength, and maturity from its various depictions in art and literature.