Late 18th - early 19th century

Design for an Elephant Textile

Jewelry designs often originated in pattern books: an artist would draw and perfect the design, then give it to a goldsmith to manufacture. This decorative drawing is actually a design for a jeweled forehead ornament for a processional elephant. The sun, moon, peacock, and scene of a flute‑playing Krishna with his loving Radha overlay a geometric floral pattern. This pattern probably represents woven openwork, replete with leaf‑and‑pearl tassels. Elephants were an important component of every king’s army in India, often marching in military parades and religious processions. The heavily ornamented animal reflected the abundant wealth of the king.