18th-19th century AD. A carved wooden statuette of an elephant with legs extended on a rectangular base, covered with silver sheet; the base with lotus petal border, lozenge-tiled surface, the elephant with decorative caparison and harness, floral headdress and base for a howdah with two rectangular sockets. 3.6 kg, 30cm (11 3/4"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK, in the 1980s. The elephant has long played an important role in the culture of the Indian subcontinent. It is seen as auspicious and worshipped as a god in the form of Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and one of the most popular deities of Hinduism. They are also an important part of the temples of Hinduism, being used to bless pilgrims visiting the shrines, as well as carry the image of the deities in religious processions, such as the Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala. They have also been used in war, with some being bred for their ferociousness, and having specially made armour to protect them as they carry mounted soldiers. The elephant is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity and they have been used by the Maharajas as a means to convey them from their palaces when they need to travel. The Maharaja of Benares still employs royal elephants to take him, and his family, to the holy city on festival days. Fair condition, corners of base chipped, some loss to silver cladding.