Carved Brackets

Cleveland Museum of Art

The sculpture "Carved Brackets" by an unknown artist depicts a curved, off-white piece of carved material resembling ivory or bone. The material features a square base with a short, thick leg extending downwards. A horizontal piece protrudes from the top, with a cylindrical shape on its end. The sculpture showcases a mythical creature with the body of a dragon and the head of an elephant, adorned with a long snout, large ears, and a tusk. The creature is positioned in a dynamic pose, appearing to move upwards and to the right. It has its front right leg raised, while its back legs are bent, with the left leg visible and the right leg obscured from view. The creature's body features detailed carvings, including scales and a curving tail that wraps around the left side of the sculpture. A decorative element resembling a leaf or flower is carved at the bottom. The background of the image transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.