NAVINA HAIDAR: We’re looking at the object in the shape of a large horn. Look closely: inside each circle is a different kind of animal… can you find a lion or an antelope? What about a bird with a human head? Some turn around, kneel, or look like they’re ready to jump. And some are stepping outside of their little circles! Does it look like they’re trying to escape? That might be what the artist had in mind, because this is a special kind of musical instrument… made to blow just one loud note, to begin a hunt. Do you think the animals look like they’re startled? This signal horn – called an Oliphant – is made of ivory; which is the natural material elephants tusks are made of. This horn gets its shape from an actual elephant tusk. But this carving is from Italy, and there aren’t any elephants there. Elephant tusks came from Africa; the tusks were sent to Europe, where ivory was very highly valued. Hunting elephants for ivory is illegal now, to protect elephants. But it wasn’t illegal hundreds of years ago, when this was made. This horn was so expensive and delicate that it probably wasn’t used in the field, but as a beautiful object in someone’s home.