Elephant with riders, 13th century-14th century ::

Details

Other Title: Vessel in the form of an elephant and riders
Place where the work was made: Champa Kingdom → Vietnam
Cultural origin: Champa
Date: 13th century-14th century
Media category: Sculpture
Materials used: bronze
Dimensions: 21.0 x 16.5 x 9.5 cm
Signature & date: Not signed. Not dated.
Credit: Goldie Sternberg Southeast Asian art purchase fund 1998
Location: Not on display
Accession number: 93.1998
Copyright: Reproduction requests
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About

There was probably once a vast repertoire of zoomorphic bronze utensils such as this, but surviving examples are rare. The Cham people used elephants in battles and ceremonies, and also supplied elephants to China for imperial processions. This work demonstrates the use of bronze prototypes for ceramic traditions; the subject is popular as a ceramic form throughout mainland Southeast Asia.

Exhibition history

Shown in 2 exhibitions

The connoisseur and the philanthropist: 30 years of the Sternberg Collection of Chinese Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 31 Jan 2014–27 Apr 2014
Conversations through the Asian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Oct 2014–13 Mar 2016

Bibliography

Referenced in 4 publications

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2003, 298 (colour illus.).
Ann Proctor, Bon Mau Co Ban - Four Colours., Analysis and discussion of selected works from AGNSW, 'Cham Elephant - Vietnam', pg. 5-8, Sydney, Feb 2003, 5 (colour illus.), 6-8. section 4
Wendy Symonds (Editor), Look, 'The Centre for Asian Art Studies', pg. 25, Heidelberg, Sep 1998, 25 (colour illus.).
Bon Mau Co Ban - Four Colours. Vietnamese Art Case Study, Sydney, Feb 2003, not paginated, (colour illus.). section 5

Provenance

The provenance of this work is under review and records will be updated as new details become available. The Gallery welcomes any information. Contact provenance@ag.nsw.gov.au

Spink and Son Ltd., pre Jun 1998, England, purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, June 1998.