Description:
On offer from our personal collection is an intriguing & unusual bronze sculpture of a nude female, accompanied by a bird, riding bareback on an elephant. Although the sculpture may have been crafted in Africa, its origins are uncertain. Though, the woman's face does remind us of some Akan & Ashanti metalwork we've seen.
Cast using the lost wax method, this is a very heavy casting. Weighing ca. 14-lbs., we are convinced the elephant's body must be solid, not hollow. The woman's figure is shapely & well-sculpted. With erotic overtones, she grips the elephant's raised trunk like a phallus, while she reaches behind with her left arm, steadying herself by resting her left hand near the elephant's rump. A bird is along for the ride. And where the bird is attached to the hindquarters of the elephant, the female figure is not physically attached to it & is removable.
With the presence of some oxidation & a well-developed patina, this remarkable sculpture is in very good overall condition & makes an engaging display.
