THE MET'S 17TH CENTURY ELEPHANT

ELEPHANT IN NEW YEAR'S BEST WITH BOTEH NECKLACE

This charming water color and gold-gilt work on paper, and cartouche with the possible calligraphy of Shah Jahan (1610-1666) was presented to Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Jahan's successor, during a New Year celebration of March 21 (year not given).

Elephants were prized possessions of the court at this time in the Middle East and this is a particularly proud elephant!  He or she is beautifully outfitted with a special necklace of boteh (paisley), in addition to other jewelry and tapestries.  But my teeth sort of ache for the way the poor tusks have been dulled and decorated.

The New Year's elephant is currently in the galleries of the Art of Arab Lands at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.  JP