Elephant Goad

Not on view

The shaft and hooklike blade of this ceremonial implement are beautifully decorated in an onlay technique ("false damascening"). The decoration of the shaft, in particular, combines Mughal and Deccani taste in the two landscape scenes and in the late Mughal floral patterns, so the goad probably dates from the period when the Deccan was part of the Mughal empire. One side of the hook has a Persian inscription, "With all his heart, Farijdar Khan became the slave of 'Ali," indicating a Shiite owner.

Elephant Goad, Steel or iron, inlaid with gold and silver

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.