Indonesian Relief Panel Depicting an Elephant

An elephant in six parts, carrying its passenger through the clouds.

This terra cotta relief panel depicting an elephant comes from Java, Indonesia, and is dated 1300 – 1500 CE, the record placing it in Majapahit culture. The Majapahit kingdom is remembered for its brick and terra cotta building, with fired clay reliefs decorating temples and other structures. Six tiles set in a pale frame make up the scene. A caparisoned elephant walks with trunk curled, a small seated figure on its back, and swirling clouds fill the spaces above and below. Edges and faces look worn. Twenty-three inches wide.

Six tiles, one elephant, and no sign of hurry.