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ID #SA1196632
FOR SALE
£2,500
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Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood
For sale by Arundel Decorative
for sale €2,925     $3,175
£2,500
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2026
Browse dealers 36 items
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    Decorative french and period english furniture
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Id #SA1196632
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Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood

1900 - 1920
Description

A striking pair of highly decorative Far Eastern seats, crafted in red lacquered wood with rich gilded detailing, dating to circa 1900 or earlier. Each piece is sculpted in the form of a caparisoned elephant, a traditional symbol of strength, wisdom, and good fortune across Asia.

Beautifully modelled and lavishly embellished, the elephants wear ornate ceremonial trappings picked out in deep red lacquer, gilt accents, and hand-painted motifs, creating a wonderfully vibrant and theatrical presence. The tops are shaped to function as seats or stands, making them both decorative and practical. The elephants would be an exceptional statement in either a domestic or commercial setting.

The craftsmanship is confident and expressive, with a charming folk-art quality that speaks to their age and cultural origins. These pieces work brilliantly as statement stools, side tables, or sculptural accents in eclectic interiors, and are especially appealing to collectors of Asian decorative arts.

A rare and characterful pair with superb visual impact.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide

Physical Dimensions
Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
90cm (35.43")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Declaration

Arundel Decorative has dated these Carved Wooden Elephant Stools to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1196632
Description
A striking pair of highly decorative Far Eastern seats, crafted in red lacquered wood with rich gilded detailing, dating to circa 1900 or earlier.
“
Each piece is sculpted in the form of a caparisoned elephant, a traditional symbol of strength, wisdom, and good fortune across Asia.
Arundel Decorative
fig 1. A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.
fig 1. Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood

Beautifully modelled and lavishly embellished, the elephants wear ornate ceremonial trappings picked out in deep red lacquer, gilt accents, and hand-painted motifs, creating a wonderfully vibrant and theatrical presence. The tops are shaped to function as seats or stands, making them both decorative and practical. The elephants would be an exceptional statement in either a domestic or commercial setting.

fig 2. A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.
fig 2. Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood

The craftsmanship is confident and expressive, with a charming folk-art quality that speaks to their age and cultural origins. These pieces work brilliantly as statement stools, side tables, or sculptural accents in eclectic interiors, and are especially appealing to collectors of Asian decorative arts.

A rare and characterful pair with superb visual impact.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide

Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
90cm (35.43")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Date of Manufacture

Arundel Decorative has dated these Carved Wooden Elephant Stools to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1196632
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2026

Decorative french and period english furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Arundel Decorative Profile Page

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A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.
1 / 11
Archive I A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.

Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood

Archive II A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View II
Archive III A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View III
Archive IV A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View IV
Archive V A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View V
Archive VI A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View VI
Archive VII A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View IX
Archive X A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View X
Archive XI A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative
Telephone 07967 604264
Location
Merchants Hall
Rear of 18 High Street
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9AB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
Items For Sale 36
Items Sold 14
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Merchants Hall, Rear of 18 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified
Jan 2026
For Sale
36
Sold
14
A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.
Decorative Asian Elephant Seats Sculpted Body and Tusks in Wood
Ref: SA1196632
A pair of sculpted wooden elephant seats with painted off-white bodies, red saddle cloths, and gilded ears.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectStools
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleAsian Folk Art
  • MaterialWood, Paint, Gold Leaf
  • ColourOff-White, Gold, Red
  • MotifsCarved tusks, Painted saddle cloth, Gilded ears, Fluted legs
  • SizeH 54 cm (21 in) x W 90 cm (35 in) x D 60 cm (24 in)

This pair of Asian folk art seats dates to 1900 and takes the sculptural form of elephants carved from wood. The bodies are finished in an off-white paint with red lacquer trim and gold leaf highlights on the ears, tusks, and hanging ornaments. Each animal wears a painted saddle cloth decorated with a woven diamond pattern across the back, secured with straps and floral rosettes. The four legs are turned into fluted vertical cylinders, providing a stable base while supporting the flat top surface designed for sitting. Surface wear is visible across the painted sections, showing minor chips, rubs, and cracks that reveal the underlying timber. Measuring 54 cm high by 90 cm wide and 60 cm deep, these sturdy pieces are functional as practical stools or decorative stands. Placement suits an empty corner in an eclectic living room, a hallway, or a study as sculptural accents. The design accommodates use as extra seating during gatherings or as occasional side tables for holding small objects. The visual impact brings a theatrical presence to domestic interiors, combining traditional symbolism with folk art charm. Collectors of decorative arts will find them suitable for display alongside diverse furnishings, where their distinctive silhouette and painted details stand out clearly against surrounding walls and floors.

FAQs

Historically, elephant motifs in Asian decorative arts symbolised royalty, power, and stability, frequently serving as functional seats, pedestals, or architectural elements in traditional and colonial-era interiors.

These pieces are typically hand-carved from solid hardwoods, such as teak or mango wood, followed by gesso application, polychrome painting, and occasional gilding with gold leaf.

Authentic hand-carved examples feature distinct chisel marks, subtle asymmetry, joinery indicative of traditional hand woodworking, and natural age wear in the paint or gilding layer.

They function effectively as sculptural accent side tables, unusual plant stands, or low decorative pedestals placed in alcoves or beside main seating arrangements.

Clean gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth to remove dust, avoiding damp cloths, solvents, or abrasive cleaners that could lift delicate painted or gilded surface layers.
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