Bead in the Shape of an Elephant c. 501 - 800

This diminutive bead, in the shape of an elephant, invites close scrutiny because of its form. Notice how the smooth, rounded contour of the elephant’s body contrasts with the sharp, geometric cut that defines its legs, lending it both realism and abstraction. The bead's shape embodies the visual language of minimalism, reducing the elephant to its most essential form. The anonymous artist manipulates the scale and texture of the material to convey a sense of monumentality. This manipulation destabilizes our expectations, prompting questions about representation, and the relationship between object and symbol. It's not merely a bead, but an intersection of form, function, and concept.