{"product_id":"processional-elephant","title":"Processional Elephant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndian School (Early 20th Century) - Processional Elephant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA striking early 20th-century Indian School painting on silk depicting a richly caparisoned processional elephant in profile, elaborately dressed in patterned textiles, ornamental chains, bells and tassels. Painted with considerable decorative detail and a particularly attractive palette of deep blue, green, orange-red, ochre and warm brown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elephant strides from right to left across the plain natural-coloured silk ground, its raised rear leg and gently curling trunk lending the otherwise formal composition a subtle sense of movement. The animal itself is rendered in deep brown tones, with fine linear modelling used to describe the folds of the skin, contours of the head and trunk, and the substantial weight of the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch of the painting's appeal lies in the elaborate ceremonial decoration. The elephant wears a large blue textile covering patterned throughout with a delicate repeating lattice design picked out in black, white and red. Above this sits a vivid orange-red saddlecloth divided into a regular grid and scattered with small pale floral motifs. Further green patterned panels cover the animal's back and head, introducing a complementary contrast to the blue and orange of the principal textiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artist has paid particular attention to the smaller ornamental details. Decorative bands encircle the elephant's legs and body, while bells, chains and tasselled pendants hang from the cloth and harness. The head is crowned by an ornate textile covering edged with a row of circular ornaments, and the tusks themselves are fitted with decorative bands. These details give the work the ceremonial character associated with elephants dressed for royal, religious or civic procession.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elephant has held an important place in Indian courtly and ceremonial imagery for centuries, appearing frequently in paintings of rulers, processions, festivals and royal hunts. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, artists continued to draw upon these established visual traditions, producing highly decorative representations of elephants in elaborate ceremonial dress. Works of this kind often emphasise textile pattern, ornament and colour as much as narrative, making them especially appealing as decorative objects in their own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of silk as the painting support contributes substantially to the character of the present work. Its lightly textured, warm-toned surface remains visible throughout the unpainted background and gives the image a softer appearance than a comparable work on paper. The restrained ground also allows the richly coloured textiles and dark form of the elephant to stand out particularly effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe work is unsigned and no identifying artist's inscription or label is presently visible to the reverse. Chalked inventory or collection numbers remain on the wooden backing board. In the absence of a firm regional attribution, the broader designation Indian School is appropriate, while the style and subject are consistent with the continuation of North Indian and Rajasthani decorative painting traditions into the early 20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresented under glass within a broad dark blue mount and a narrow gilt-toned wooden frame. At 84cm across when framed, the work has considerable decorative presence and the restrained presentation complements the strong colour and intricate patterning of the elephant itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particularly appealing Indian decorative painting, combining an immediately recognisable processional subject with intricate textile design, strong colour and the distinctive surface of the silk support.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indian School\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProcessional Elephant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Early 20th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Painting on silk, probably opaque watercolour\/gouache and ink\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unsigned\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtwork size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 49.5cm x 67cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFramed size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 66cm x 84cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance \/ Labels:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chalked inventory or collection numbers to the wooden backing board\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good antique condition overall. There is age-related toning and minor marking to the silk. To the right-hand side of the composition is a vertical area of disruption to the weave where a number of threads have become loose and pulled from the silk. This is situated principally within the unpainted background and does not significantly interrupt the central painted image. Some minor age-related wear is also present to the frame. Please refer to the photographs for further detail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"63Arts Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55222803562837,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1038\/7170\/9525\/files\/ElephantPlate.jpg?v=1791286546","url":"https:\/\/63arts.co.uk\/products\/processional-elephant","provider":"63Arts Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}