Ring with Tibetan Floral Motif

Elephant headed creature with a scaly tail circles this compact band.

This horn and sterling silver ring with a Tibetan floral motif is from Tibet, and is contemporary. Floral patterns are common in Tibetan decorative arts, appearing on metalwork, painted furniture, textiles and thangka borders, often as stylized lotus or peony forms. The relief shows a creature with a trunk, round eye and ridged ears, ending in a tail marked with tiny scales. Bright, carefully tooled metal covers the outside. A darker, grained sleeve lines the interior.

Part of one animal, part of another, entirely committed.