Harvard Art Museums > 2009.202.51: Kota Ruler Watches an Elephant Combat Drawings Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Kota Ruler Watches an Elephant Combat (Unknown Artist) , 2009.202.51,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 23, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/194024. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2009.202.51 People Unknown Artist Title Kota Ruler Watches an Elephant Combat Classification Drawings Work Type drawing Date 18th century Places Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota Culture Indian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/194024 Physical Descriptions Medium Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School Dimensions 31.2 x 67.5 cm (12 5/16 x 26 9/16 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Stuart Cary Welch (by 1999 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1999. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch Accession Year 2009 Object Number 2009.202.51 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description The drawing features an elephant combat gone awry. The royal spectacle of an elephant combat consists of two elephants fighting with a wall in between. The wall is intended to prevent fatal or severe injury to the elephants. However, in this drawing, one of the elephants has managed to topple over the wall, crushing the other elephant. The impact of the elephant’s force is demonstrated through the swinging bells on the elephant and the unraveling of the elephant driver’s (mahout), turban. The attendants at the scene carry spears as well as charkhi, fireworks that are intended to scare and control the elephant. In the top register, a ruler watches the spectacle unfold from a balcony. His royal status is symbolized by the halo around his head. Rajput Style, Kota School. Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
