Indian Carved Wood Ceremonial Elephant with Copper, Brass & Bone Caparison

A hand-carved standing elephant draped in a sheet-metal caparison, the body worked from solid wood with a deep red-and-black lacquered finish that wears to gold tones along the high points. The processional blanket is built up in hammered copper panels bordered with engraved brass filigree banding and studded throughout with repoussé brass rosettes and oval bosses. A central spine of jointed bone plaques runs over the back, framed by the copper on either side. Brass tacks pin the metalwork to the carved form, and a small brass pin pierces the trunk where it curls upward.

The form draws on the Indian tradition of the caparisoned temple and festival elephant, dressed in ornamented cloth and metal trappings for ceremonial procession. Mixed-media decorative elephants of this type combine carved wood with applied copper, brass, and bone work, and were produced as both regional craft pieces and export decorative objects. The hand-hammered surfaces and individually applied bosses point to handwork rather than cast production.

CONDITION

Good with age-appropriate wear and no structural damage. The lacquered wood shows expected rubbing and finish loss to raised areas; the copper carries natural patina and minor denting from hand-working, and the bone plaques show tonal staining and surface mottling. Brass bosses and filigree banding remain secure.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 9" H × 10" W × 5" D
• Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
• Materials: Carved wood, copper, brass, bone
• Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale — Not Included