Caparisoned Elephant on Wheels

India

Early 20th century

  • Titles Caparisoned Elephant on Wheels (Descriptive)
  • Medium bronze
  • Dimensions 4 3/8 × 4 × 4 1/2 in. (11.1 × 10.2 × 11.4 cm)
  • Credit Line Collection of the Art Fund, Inc. at the Birmingham Museum of Art; Anonymous gift, AFI.24.2020
  • Work Type sculpture
  • Classification Sculpture

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Ot-7 The box features an exceptionally fine and rare technique called “Thewa”, typical of work from the ancient town of Pratapgarh, in Rajasthan. Invented in 1767 by a local goldsmith named Nathuni Sonewalla, this technique - which requires the highest level of skill - was passed down from father to son, and was safeguarded in secrecy by a few goldsmith families until the 20th century. The box is a type of 19th-century luxury item that was made to appeal to European taste, which category has had a recent revival in popularity.