Southern Italy
Salerno ? / Amalfi ?

Oliphant, known as "Roland's bugle"

Late 11th century

    Oliphant in carved ivory engraved with 17 low reliefs divided into 5 zones and on subjects inspired by plant and animal ornaments. Some oriental influence is clearly recognizable. The presence of this item among the mediaeval treasures of the city of Toulouse recalls the dynastic ties between the counts of Toulouse and the Hautevilles and their joint involvement in the first crusade.

Dimensions of the object
L. 52 cm., D. pavillon 0,95 cm

Bibliography
- De Toulouse à Tripoli, 1988, n° 346.
- I Normanni, popolo d'Europa, Roma, Venezia, 1994, a cura di Mario d'Onofio, 1994, n° 217.
-
Italie des Normands, Normandie des Plantagenêts, Musée de Normandie, Caen 1995, n° 53.

Location
Toulouse, Musée Paul Dupuy.

Photography 
Cliché S.T.C.