Burmese
Elephant-Shaped Box, 19th century
Silver, 10.8 x 7 x 5.1 cm (4 1/4 x 2 3/4 x 2 in.)
This decorative box of an elephant opens horizontally across the elephant's middle. The top of the box is highly embellished with both paisley and geometric designs. It includes the elephants tail wrapped around the body, an embellished saddle, and a head piece. The elephant’s trunk curves up and back to rest on the top of its head and two large tusks protrude from either side of its mouth. The bottom of the box is features limited ornamentation and rests on the kneeling legs of the elephant.
Little Salon
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.