ticketsMember | Make a donation

Elephant Goad (Ankus)

17th century
Not on view
A goad is carried by the mahout or elephant driver. The sharp point and hook was used to guide the animal to behave or move in a specific way, making it a crucial tool for hunting expeditions. The steel blade here features fantastical creatures, while the brass butt is formed by a dog-like animal issuing from a tiger’s mouth. Since it is ornately decorated, it may have also been intended for display in ceremonial processions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Elephant Goad (Ankus)
  • Date: 17th century
  • Culture: South Indian
  • Medium: Steel, brass
  • Dimensions: L. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Shafted Weapons
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
  • Object Number: 36.25.1868
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Dagger with Scabbard, Steel, iron, gold, rubies, emeralds, glass, wood, textile, Indian, Mughal
Dagger with Scabbard
Indian, Mughal
1605–27
Pair of Flintlock Pistols of Empress Catherine the Great (1729–1796), Johan Adolph Grecke Russian, Steel, ivory, gold, brass, Russian, Saint Petersburg
Pair of Flintlock Pistols of Empress Catherine the Great (1729–1796)
Johan Adolph Grecke
1786
Priming Flask, Ivory, steel, pigment, resin, Indian
Priming Flask
Indian
second half of the 17th century
Smallsword, Steel, gold, silver, hilt, possibly India; blade, possibly European
Smallsword
hilt, possibly India; blade, possibly European
possibly 1790
Dagger (Katar) and Sheath, Steel, leather, gold, Indian, Mughal
Dagger (Katar) and Sheath
Indian, Mughal
17th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.