{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O452505"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O452505/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1736/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1736/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019MG1736","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019MG1735","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KA5817","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KB3375","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O452505/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O452505","accessionNumber":"IM.89-1927","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> cast and chiselled steel. The haft is of horn and the head consists of a <i>katar</i>-like blade fixed into a socket formed by two <i>Yalis</i>","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Chiselled steel and carved horn","categories":[{"text":"Transport","id":"THES48881"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2019MG1736","2019MG1735","2017KA5817","2017KB3375"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES394836"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Elephant goad","id":""}],[{"text":"Ankus","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Thanjavur","id":"x32011"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"probably 17th century","earliest":"1600-01-01","latest":"1700-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"As originally arranged and displayed in Exhibition Road Indian Museum galleries until 1955, with some additions while in storage, case F.710","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Elephant goad <i>ankus</i> of cast and chiselled steel and carved horn, Thanjavur, probably 17th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"yali","id":"x35349"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IM.89-1927"],"accessionNumberNum":"89","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1927,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-03","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-25","availableToBook":false}}