- Spectacular relief carving
of a herd of elephants found hanging in an old home in Saratoga
Springs, N.Y. Origin unknown. Wood is a species of ironwood.
Detail is wonderful. The somewhat small ears and absence of tusks
on the two adult elephants in the center back suggests they may
be Asian elephants, but the high attachment points of the ears
to the head and the "two-fingered" trunk ends are characteristic
of the African variety. We suspect they are intended to represent
the latter, but It may be that the carver, while most talented,
was not familiar with subtle differences between the species
and felt "an elephant is an elephant". There has been
relatively minor, skilled restoration to the ends of 2 trunks,
one tusk and two tails, along with a thorough cleaning of a huge
accumulation of dust in all of the crevices. A unique folk art
carving and a real conversation piece. 47" long. Circa
late 19th or early 20th century. (CD-9)
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- $750
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- (additional photos
below)
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