Late 19th Century Large Leather Elephant Sculpture

An impressive and highly decorative large leather elephant sculpture dating from the late 19th century. Of unusually generous proportions, the elephant is depicted standing firmly on all four legs with its trunk dramatically raised, giving the piece a wonderfully animated and expressive presence.

The sculpture is particularly appealing for the attention given to the animal’s anatomical details. The large ears, folds around the face and trunk, powerful legs and textured hide have all been carefully modelled and worked into the leather. Incised lines reproduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds, while the beautifully aged surface displays a rich range of warm brown, golden and darker tones. The contrasting tusks and dark eyes add further character and expression to the face.

The leather has developed a particularly attractive patina over more than a century, with variations in colour, rubbing, creasing and other signs of age consistent with an antique object. Visible seams and hand-worked details contribute greatly to the character and charm of the piece.

With its substantial scale and striking silhouette, this unusual late 19th century elephant makes a superb decorative statement piece and would work equally well in a traditional, eclectic or contemporary interior.

Dimensions:
Height: 79 cm / 31.1 in
Width: 63.5 cm / 25 in
Depth: 31.5 cm / 12.4 in