Ivory Hunting Horn

This hunting horn attributed to Sicily, one of the principal ivory carving centers in the Mediterranean, is carved from a single piece of elephant tusk. Flat profiles exist on the raised surfaces, which are in contrast to the contemporary Spanish pieces of three-dimensional rounded surfaces. The body of this horn is adorned with interlacing roundels composed of branch scrolls bearing bunches of grapes and pine cones. Within the roundels are an array of animals and birds with extended limbs over the frames. In some depictions the tail of a lion is portrayed to look like dragonheads. The two straps of brass fitting are decorated with foliated scrolls. The tip of the horn has a panel carved with an elephant, deer and bird.