A solid gold ring with an incised bezel of an elephant Java, Indonesia, 7th-12th century | 印尼爪哇 七至十二世紀 象紋金戒指

Property from an Asian private collection

A solid gold ring with an incised bezel of an elephant

Java, Indonesia, 7th-12th century

亞洲私人收藏

印尼爪哇 七至十二世紀 象紋金戒指

This solid gold elephant ring was almost certainly used in courtly settings, simultaneously blessing the ruler and symbolising their power. Java was influenced with Hindu-Buddhist culture between the 5th and 15th century. As a result, some Hindu deities and beliefs were incorporated into Javan culture, including the powerful iconography of the elephant, considered a symbol of strength and wisdom. The elephant is associated with important deities such as Lakshmi, Brihaspati, Shachi, and Indra, and thus used to represent royal power. The use of gold was also associated with royalty, and was hailed as mystic by Javanese court culture which believed it could attract good luck and protect the wearer against the forces of evil.

d. 2.1 cm; 44 grams