Samye Monastery: Elephant

CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka

Craftsmen from China, India, and Nepal worked together to create this stone elephant according to historical records. It represents an integration of their native styles during the construction of the Samye Monastery in the 8th century. The elephant is one of the monastery’s few well preserved artworks from the Tibetan Empire (circa 7th–9th century). The small figure is caparisoned with a square rug as if for a ceremonial occasion. There are hemispherical symbols of gems encircled by stringed pearls on the head, the middle, and the lower back, from which other ornaments hang. The ears hang close to the creature’s flanks. The robust legs are braced and the trunk curls inward between shorn tusks. The image is well proportioned and its concisely carved lines show great skill.