Elephant goad ankus gold set with natural colourless sapphires, polychrome enamel, Jaipur, ca. 1870

The ankus 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.

Elephants 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

The 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.
Elaborately ornamented elephant goad, with two terminal spikes of blued steel, one straight and one curved. Gold set with natural colourless sapphires and other diamond simulants on blue, green or red enamel with polychrome painted enamel on the grip, depicting scenes of the hunt.

Acquired for the India Museum after being shown at the 1871 Exhibition; transferred to the South Kensington Museum in 1879. Acquisition records note the presence of diamonds; examination by Joanna Whalley on 3 September 2009 indicates that these are all diamond simulants, mostly natural colourless sapphires and possibly some colourless beryls and topaz.

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