Small Elephant

An elephant striding forward with its trunk raised and curled upward, hand-built in Zimbabwe from reclaimed steel. The raised trunk is the defining gesture of the piece — a lively greeting that gives the animal movement rather than a static pose. Of all the pieces in the collection, this is the one that most clearly announces where it was made.

The construction is the most colourful in the range. Large curved panels of salvaged painted sheet in postbox red, mustard yellow, olive green and worn white are cut to shape and welded together, leaving the original paint, stencilling, printed lettering and wear of the donor material fully visible. Traces of stamped numbering remain across the flank.

The head and ear are worked as separate layered plates, the ear standing proud of the skull with a heavy welded seam. The trunk is built from banded segments that taper to a curled tip. A pair of pale tusks flank the trunk beneath a punched eye, while four substantial legs each carry a different colour with cut toenails at the foot.

Panel colour and lettering placement vary between elephants because the paint comes from the reclaimed material rather than being newly applied. Each piece will differ naturally from the one photographed.

A substantial surface or floor piece for a hall console, sideboard, wide shelf or hearth. It also works outdoors on a patio, lawn edge, terrace or path.

Details

• Handmade in Zimbabwe
• Reclaimed steel
• Original multicoloured painted finish
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor display
• 36 × 14 × 30 cm (L × W × H)
• Weight: 1.7 kg

Handmade; expect approximately 10% variation in size, colour and finish.

Care

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. When displayed outdoors, the surface will continue to weather and develop a natural patina. Position in a sheltered spot and bring indoors during prolonged wet weather if you wish to slow the process.