Ancient Javanese Elephant Ring
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An ancient Javanese gold ring dating to the Classical period of Indonesia, circa 7th–10th century.The ring is of hollow construction with a broad, convex D-shaped hoop, terminating in a large circular bezel incised with an elephant amidst stylised vegetal forms. The composition is bold and highly symbolic. This example was formerly part of the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum; one of the most important private collections of Asian art assembled in Europe, formed by Dr. István Zelnik, a diplomat and scholar of Southeast Asia. Its museum provenance significantly enhances both its rarity and art historical importance.Comparable examples are held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 1998.544.354), and a closely related ring appeared at Sotheby’s in 2022 with an estimate of 80,000–100,000 HKD (approximately $10,000–13,000 at the time), underscoring the desirability of this rare type.In Javanese culture, the elephant was associated with strength, wisdom, and royal authority, linked to Hindu-Buddhist traditions and deities such as Indra. Rings of this kind functioned not only as adornment, but as markers of status, ritual objects, and protective talismans. The use of high-karat gold further reflects its courtly and symbolic significance.Weight: 9.33gHead diameter: 2.3cmSize: UK P; US 7.5Tests as approximately 19K goldA substantial and rare survival; with museum provenance and strong comparables, it represents both a powerful object of adornment and an exceptional example of early Javanese goldwork.
An ancient Javanese gold ring dating to the Classical period of Indonesia, circa 7th–10th century.
The ring is of hollow construction with a broad, convex D-shaped hoop, terminating in a large circular bezel incised with an elephant amidst stylised vegetal forms. The composition is bold and highly symbolic. This example was formerly part of the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum; one of the most important private collections of Asian art assembled in Europe, formed by Dr. István Zelnik, a diplomat and scholar of Southeast Asia. Its museum provenance significantly enhances both its rarity and art historical importance.
Comparable examples are held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 1998.544.354), and a closely related ring appeared at Sotheby’s in 2022 with an estimate of 80,000–100,000 HKD (approximately $10,000–13,000 at the time), underscoring the desirability of this rare type.
In Javanese culture, the elephant was associated with strength, wisdom, and royal authority, linked to Hindu-Buddhist traditions and deities such as Indra. Rings of this kind functioned not only as adornment, but as markers of status, ritual objects, and protective talismans. The use of high-karat gold further reflects its courtly and symbolic significance.
Weight: 9.33g
Head diameter: 2.3cm
Size: UK P; US 7.5
Tests as approximately 19K gold
A substantial and rare survival; with museum provenance and strong comparables, it represents both a powerful object of adornment and an exceptional example of early Javanese goldwork.
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