Horn, Oliphant

Physical description

Horn or Ophilant, ivory with metal mounts. Covered with a network interconnected circles containing figures of birds, hares, goats, an elephant, an amphisboena and other fantastic beasts carved in relief on the surface. Bands of similar decoration appear at the mouth and the wide end. Between are four narrow bands of foliage scrolls, one on either side of two sunk bands.

Place of Origin

Amalfi; Salerno

Date

1000-1100 (made)

Materials and Techniques

Carved ivory with metal mounts

Dimensions

Height: 30.5 cm
Diameter: 13.5 cm
Width: 57.5 cm
Depth: 13.3 cm
Weight: 2.76 kg

Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries 2006

Object history note

The oliphant was formerly in the Soltykoff collction, Paris and was acquired by the nuseum in 1861.

Historical context note

Many of these horns, or 'oliphants', are in existence and were mentioned in medieval inventories of cathedral treasuries. For example: in the 1245 inventory of St Paul's cathedral four horns are mentioned one of which was referred to as a 'cornu eburrneum gravatum bestiis et avibus, magnum' This horn which would would have belonged -had it survived- to a large group of olifants showing animals and birds within medallions such as the present horn. These horns often contained relics.

Descriptive line

Horn or Oliphant, ivory with metal mounts, decorated with carvings of animals, Italy (Amalfi or Salerno), 11th century

Materials

Ivory

Techniques

Carving

Subjects depicted

Birds; Leaves (plant materials); Elephants; Goat; Hares

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

SCP