{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O451847"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O451847/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1734/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1734/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019MG1734","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019MG1733","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O451847/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O451847","accessionNumber":"3333(IS)","objectType":"Elephant goad","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The <i>ankus</i> is a tool for the handling and training of elephants consisting of a metal hook attached to a short handle. The elephant is trained to respond to pressure applied to the sensitive skin behind the ears in much the same manner as horses by spurs. \r\nElephants have been used during religious ceremonies and processions and as mounts for royalty since antiquity. The ankus is therefore found in armouries and temples all across India, often ornately decorated with gemstones, or engraved with passages of sacred text \r\n\r\nThe ankus is one of the eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala in Hinduism, and is associated with certain other religions of the Indian subcontinent. A goad is also an attribute of many Hindu gods, including Ganesha.","physicalDescription":"Elephant goad <i>ankus</i> with a hollow shaft composed of banded steel ribs decorated with gold kuftkari, enclosing a number of hollow metal bells which roll up and down","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"koftgari","id":"x35028"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Forged and chiselled steel decorated with gold kuftkari","categories":[{"text":"Arms & Armour","id":"THES48992"},{"text":"Transport","id":"THES48881"},{"text":"India Museum","id":"THES286062"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2019MG1734","2019MG1733"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES390021"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Elephant goad","id":""}],[{"text":"ankus","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Gujarat","id":"x29825"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"19th century","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Transferred from the India Museum in 1879","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Elephant goad <i>ankus</i> with a hollow shaft composed of banded steel ribs decorated with gold kuftkari, enclosing a number of hollow metal bells which roll up and down, Gujarat, 19th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Lord Egerton of Tatton, Indian and Oriental Armour, London, 1896, p. 109, Cat. No. 391"},{"reference":{"text":"Egerton, Wilbraham, <i>An illustrated handbook of Indian arms; being a classified and descriptive catalogue of the arms exhibited at the India museum: with an introductory sketch of the military history of India</i>, London, 1880","id":"AUTH353483"},"details":"p.109","free":""}],"production":"Transferred from the India Museum to South Kensington Museum in 1879","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["3333(IS)"],"accessionNumberNum":"3333","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":null,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"Egerton Catalogue Number","id":"THES50387"},"number":"391"},{"type":{"text":"India Museum Slip Book","id":"THES50388"},"number":"11,689-1871"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-23","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-25","availableToBook":true}}