Untitled (Elephant with Siva and Parvati) Date Unknown

This sculpture of Siva and Parvati riding an elephant was made by an anonymous artist out of ivory. Ivory is a dense, relatively soft material that has been prized for millennia, and can be readily carved into small, intricate forms. The artist has taken full advantage of these qualities, creating a three-dimensional tableau with many fine details, from the elephant's caparison to the figures' jewelry and facial expressions. While the exact tools used to carve this piece are unknown, the most likely would have been a variety of small knives and chisels. It would have taken many hours of skilled labor to complete. But beyond the immediate beauty of the work, we must also acknowledge that ivory is the product of violence. Sourced from elephant tusks, it represents the death of an animal. The consumption and commodification of ivory, like other natural materials, can be understood within broader patterns of labor, politics, and consumerism. Understanding the material and making of an artwork expands our perspective, challenging assumptions about artistic practice and offering a deeper appreciation of its cultural context.