Elephant Goad
late 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The ankus is a tool for the handling and training of elephants consisting of a metal hook attached to a short handle. The elephant is trained to respond to pressure applied to the sensitive skin behind the ears in much the same manner as horses by spurs.
Elephants have been used during religious ceremonies and processions and as mounts for royalty since antiquity. The ankus is therefore found in armouries and temples all across India, often ornately decorated with gemstones, or engraved with passages of sacred text
The ankus is one of the eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala in Hinduism, and is associated with certain other religions of the Indian subcontinent. A goad is also an attribute of many Hindu gods, including Ganesha.
Elephants have been used during religious ceremonies and processions and as mounts for royalty since antiquity. The ankus is therefore found in armouries and temples all across India, often ornately decorated with gemstones, or engraved with passages of sacred text
The ankus is one of the eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala in Hinduism, and is associated with certain other religions of the Indian subcontinent. A goad is also an attribute of many Hindu gods, including Ganesha.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Steel and brass, pierced and engraved |
| Brief description | Elephant goad ankus steel and brass, pierced and engraved with grotesque monsters and foliate ornament with a concealed stiletto blade within the haft, Madras, late 19th century |
| Physical description | Elephant goad ankus steel, pierced and engraved with grotesque monsters and conventional foliate ornament,. The end of the grip is brass in the form of an animal issuing from the mouth of a monster. There is a concealed stiletto blade within the haft. |
| Credit line | Purchased from Procter & Co., Indian Art Gallery, 428 Oxford Street |
| Object history | As originally arranged and displayed in Exhibition Road Indian Museum galleries until 1955, with some additions while in storage, case F.710;; Purchased from Procter & Co., Indian Art Gallery, 428 Oxford Street. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. |
| Summary | The ankus is a tool for the handling and training of elephants consisting of a metal hook attached to a short handle. The elephant is trained to respond to pressure applied to the sensitive skin behind the ears in much the same manner as horses by spurs. Elephants have been used during religious ceremonies and processions and as mounts for royalty since antiquity. The ankus is therefore found in armouries and temples all across India, often ornately decorated with gemstones, or engraved with passages of sacred text The ankus is one of the eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala in Hinduism, and is associated with certain other religions of the Indian subcontinent. A goad is also an attribute of many Hindu gods, including Ganesha. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.22&A-1891 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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