5,742  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 0  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
ID #SA1205691
FOR SALE
£450
Email
Save
Indian Soapstone Study of Ceremonial Elephants C 1910
Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €527     $572
£450
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Relevant Links
Id #SA1205691
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Indian Soapstone Study of Ceremonial Elephants C 1910

1900 - 1920
Description

A fine Indian Raj period carved soapstone study of a large elephant carrying two Maharajas and their guide seated high on its back in an elaborate carriage surrounded by a group of young elephants. This superb carving shows great skill from the highly proficient craftsman who has deeply carved and pierced the study with three dimensional detailing. And just to make his work more difficult, the body of the large elephant is hollow carved and pierced with a small, perfectly carved study of another elephant at its centre, which is incredibly difficult to achieve, working through the tight, delicately carved and pierced scrolls which form its body.

Indian, circa 1910

Height 21cm x width 11cm x depth 9cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Indian Soapstone Elephant Carving to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1205691
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A fine Indian Raj period carved soapstone study of a large elephant carrying two Maharajas and their guide seated high on its back in an elaborate carriage surrounded by a group of young elephants.
This superb carving shows great skill from the highly proficient craftsman who has deeply carved and pierced the study with three dimensional detailing.
Robert Belcher Antiques

And just to make his work more difficult, the body of the large elephant is hollow carved and pierced with a small, perfectly carved study of another elephant at its centre, which is incredibly difficult to achieve, working through the tight, delicately carved and pierced scrolls which form its body.

Indian, circa 1910

Height 21cm x width 11cm x depth 9cm

Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Indian Soapstone Elephant Carving to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1205691
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing.
1 / 16
Archive I An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing.

Indian soapstone study of ceremonial elephants C 1910

Archive II An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View II
Archive III An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View III
Archive IV An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View IV
Archive V An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View V
Archive VI An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View VI
Archive VII An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View VII
Archive VIII An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View VIII
Archive IX An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View IX
Archive X An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View X
Archive XI An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XI
Archive XII An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XII
Archive XIII An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XIII
Archive XIV An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XIV
Archive XV An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XV
Archive XVI An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 667
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
667
An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing.
Indian soapstone study of ceremonial elephants C 1910
Ref: SA1205691
An intricately hand-carved brown soapstone sculpture featuring a ceremonial elephant carrying an elaborate howdah with pierced lattice detailing.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Detail View 13
Detail View 14
Detail View 15
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Soapstone carving in India, particularly around Agra and Rajasthan, has a long tradition associated with architectural ornamentation and decorative art. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, craftsmen produced detailed figures depicting ceremonial elephants bearing howdahs, catering to both domestic prestige and export markets.

These figures are hand-carved from steatite, commonly known as soapstone, which is a soft talc-rich rock. Artisans used handheld chisels, drills, and rasps to execute undercut work, openwork lattice (jaali), and fine surface engraving before polishing the finished piece.

Authentic pieces from around 1910 display crisp hand-tooling marks rather than machine-milled precision. They typically feature subtle variations in the natural stone, softened edges along raised areas due to age, and an unglazed patina developed over decades of handling.

A carved soapstone sculpture serves as an effective accent on a mahogany bookshelf, a dark wood console table, or a study desk. It balances modern minimalist decor by adding textural interest and historic character.

Due to the soft nature of steatite, dust should be removed using a dry, soft-bristled brush or a microfibre cloth. Avoid immersion in water, harsh detergents, or acidic cleaning agents, as soapstone is porous and easily damaged by liquid absorption.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories