{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O452510"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O452510/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1810/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019MG1810/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019MG1810","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019MG1811","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O452510/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O452510","accessionNumber":"IM.212-1922","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> the head and pommel of steel decorated with gold kuftkari, the shaft consisting of six steel ribs encircled by steel bands forming a hollow cage in which there are a number of small steel bells.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"koftgari","id":"x35028"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Steel, decorated with gold kuftkari","categories":[{"text":"Transport","id":"THES48881"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2019MG1810","2019MG1811"],"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":"Udaipur","id":"x32579"},"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":"Given by Mrs Biddulph in accordance with the wishes of the late Colonel John Biddulph","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.\r\n\r\nThis collection of Indian, Japanese and Persian arms and armour was formed by Colonel John Biddulph, a British soldier and military historian who had served in the political department of the government of British India including as Resident at the court of the Gaekwads of Baroda.  [Letter from Colonel David Philips Chapman on behalf of Mrs Biddulph, RP 643-1922, John Biddulph (Mrs Julia) Nominal File, MA/1/B1370] The items were also acquired by the Department of Metalwork at the time.  [RP, 3044-1922, John Biddulph (Mrs Julia) Nominal File, MA/1/B1370]\r\n\r\nGiven by Mrs Biddulph in accordance with the wishes of the late Colonel John Biddulph. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.\r\n\r\nR.P. 1922- 3043","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Elephant goad <i>ankus</i> steel, with a hollow haft containing bells, decorated with gold kuftkari, Udaipur, 19th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IM.212-1922"],"accessionNumberNum":"212","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1922,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-23","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-25","availableToBook":true}}