An elephant figurine in red terracotta with dark red slip. the lower trunk and right foreleg are lost. It has small almond shaped appliqué eyes and scalloped ear fringes. On the forehead and upper trunk are an arrangement of punched dotted lines. It was probably made for the entertainment of children.
An elephant figurine in red terracotta with dark red slip, lower trunk and right foreleg lost. It has small almond shaped appliqué eyes and scalloped ear fringes. On the forehead and upper trunk is an arrangement of punched dotted lines. Elephant figurines are more or less ubiquitous in ancient South Asian sites, especially those of the later prehistoric or early historic periods. Their precise function is quite unknown, save with other common animal figurines, that they were probably made for the entertainment of children. Marked on one leg with ‘SB’ (probably Sari Bahlol, Mardan District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). Early Historic Period, early centuries. Archaeological context: this object is in relatively good condition, as if it had been preserved underground, possibly coming from some stratified context, an exposed section of the mound at SB, or even a test trench dug there by Col Gordon. In the 1930s and 40s, it is likely that there was much more to be found on the surfaces of these ancient sites than now and this piece might still be a surface find despite its condition. Given by Col D H Gordon (1952/3).
