Indian Sholapith Elephant Statue in Display Case – West Bengal Folk Art – 23.5 cm
Rated 5.0 out of 5.€89,00
One of a kind
Or in 3 interest-free installments of €29,67
secure checkout via Shopify
Show 6 more payment methods
Shop with confidence
-
Certificate of authenticity & invoice
Included with this item
-
Examined with microscope & UV light
Dating, condition, and quality verified by our experts · Read the findings
-
Carefully packed, fully insured
Worldwide · DHL / FedEx Express available
-
14-day cooling-off period
Dutch return address · we handle the export documents
Legal guarantee (EU)
Your rights as a buyer within the European Union ·
- Posture
- Standing
- Weight
- 2.0 kg
- Reference
- 586
Indian Sholapith Elephant Statue in Display Case – West Bengal Folk Art – 23.5 cm
Specifications: H 23.5 × W 15.5 × W 19 cm | Hand-Carved Sholapith (Plant Kernel) | Traditional Howdah with Figures | Includes Original Glass Display Case | Vintage ca. 1970–1990 Are you looking for a refined piece of Oriental culture for your interior and do you wish to purchase an authentic Indian elephant statue? We proudly present this finely detailed, vintage artwork from West Bengal. This traditional sculpture depicts a richly decorated ceremonial elephant, equipped with a royal howdah (pallet) containing royal figures and a parasol bearer. The entire object is housed in its original, custom-made wooden display case with glass, which perfectly protects the delicate carving.
Authentic Indian handicrafts with rich cultural symbolism.
The Unique Craft of Sholapith (Sola Pith)
This special piece of Indian folk art is entirely hand-carved from Sholapith. This feather-light, milky-white material is extracted from the core of the Shola plant (Aeschynomene aspera) that grows in the swamps of West Bengal. The craft requires extreme precision and patience. Due to the fragility of the material, these sculptures rarely last long, but this piece has been preserved in good condition thanks to the glass casing. It is a traditional Indian Sholapith carving for the interior, ideal for a collection or as a serene eye-catcher.
- Fine Carving: The detailed patterns on the elephant's deck and the structure of the ceremonial temple tower (howdah) showcase the pure skill of the Indian craftsman.
- Fully Protected: The wooden display case with glass ensures that no dust or moisture can reach the fragile Sholapith, preserving its white character.
- Natural Patina: Over the decades, the material has acquired a soft, warm creamy white tint. This underscores the character of authentic craftsmanship from the late 20th century.
Product details
| Representation: | Ceremonial Procession Elephant with Howdah and Figures |
| Style / Region: | Traditional Folk Art / West Bengal, India |
| Dating: | Late 20th century (c. 1970–1990) |
| Material: | Natural Sholapith plant core, wooden display case, glass |
| Display case dimensions: | H 23.5 × W 15.5 × B 19 cm |
| Weight: | 1.2 kg (Including the wooden display case housing) |
| Condition: | Good vintage condition. The fragile inner element is completely intact; The wooden display cabinet shows light, superficial signs of age that contribute to the vintage look. |
| Recommended use: | Asian art collection, oriental interior decoration, display cabinet object |
| Warranty: | Authenticity and transparent description. |
Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.
Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.
Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.
Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.
Questions about this item?
Ask for advice
Our expert · research regarding this image
How we investigated this image
For more than 30 years, we have been researching Asian art. Each object is inspected in advance with a microscope and UV light. Findings regarding material, style, and iconography form the basis for our assessment of dating, condition, and quality — and for the price.
- Standing
Collector reviews
