Indian Antiquities

Elephant and Horse Scene, Tomasso Colonnello

Location: Ashok Mandap

On one arch, an elephant is painted with his head and trunk in a forward march. Painted in characteristic grey tone, an embellished cloth adorns his body. Fine craftsmanship of zardosi work is carefully painted atop it with golden tassels hanging below it.

A horse is painted in front of the elephant with his rider sitting atop him. The rendering of horse, with its rider dressed in a red choga and green pyjami attributes likeness to characteristic Central Asian form. Amidst craggy hills, the trees and shrubs are seen sprouting at diverse places in hues of green along with floral motifs. The background is seen with architectural elements, which also represent magnificence of Persian glazed tiles in varied forms.

In its continuation, the other arch shows two elephants with their trunks placed along each other, attributing a sense of anger. The elephants are also embellished with bejewelled cloth on the back, showcasing contrast to their long white teeth. Subtle brushstrokes in the landscape heighten soft contours of the rocks. Vibrant flowers in the foreground heighten appeal. These are concentrated within a decorative border with geometrical shapes, joined with a flowering creeper in circular movement.