VINTAGE SRI LANKAN EBONY ELEPHANT ADORNED WITH SILVER & SEMI - PRECIOUS STONES
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:34488 | Region of Origin: Sri Lanka |
| Primary Material: Silver/ semi-precious stones | Product: ELEPHANT |
Vintage Sri Lankan carved ebony elephant, ornately covered in silver and semi-precious stones, complete with removable plumes, and 2 bells on a chain that goes over the neck.The elephant is dressed as if for the Kandy Perahera Festival (Festival of the Tooth of Buddha), where elephants are dressed ornately for the parade, and the lead elephant carries the Sacred Tooth relic casket that contains the tooth of the Buddha.This stunning object stands 5½ ins high – the silver covering is beaut...ifully embossed and is inset with approximately 69 semi-precious stones of various colours. The tusks, eyes and toes are of bone (one bit missing on one of the toes -see photo).It is in amazing condition considering the delicacy of the silverwork, and the removable parts are still present.A similar elephant was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by the Governor of Sri Lanka during the Queen’s State Visit to Sri Lanka 21-25 October 1981.
