What is the historical significance of Indian bronze elephant sculptures?

These metal sculptures traditionally depict ceremonial parade elephants decorated with caparisons and riders, reflecting royal procession themes and religious iconography from the Indian subcontinent.

How were antique Indian bronze sculptures traditionally constructed?

Most 19th-century bronze figures were created using the lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue), which allowed detailed surface engraving and relief work to be chased by hand following the initial cast.

How can one identify authentic 19th-century bronze metalwork?

Authentic period pieces typically feature natural surface oxidisation, hand-chased surface details showing slight variations, casting core remnants inside hollow sections, and smooth wear on high points from handling.

How can a bronze elephant sculpture be styled in a modern interior?

Cast metal sculptures function as focal decorative objects on dark wood sideboards, framed within curated bookshelf arrangements, or positioned on entry consoles.

How should antique bronze figures be cleaned and preserved?

Dust regularly with a dry, soft-bristled brush or lint-free cloth and avoid liquid cleaners; applying microcrystalline wax periodically protects the natural patina from moisture.

for sale €467 $507

£399

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Bronze Elephant Figure

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Bronze Elephant Sculpture

Id #SA1234817

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Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Name: Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1234817
Price: 399 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Artsonline

Description

Large 19th-Century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Brief Description:

Brief Description:

This is an impressive large and extremely decorative 19th-century Indian bronze engraved elephant sculpture with three mounted riders and a removable figural cover.

Weighing an impressive 3 kg and measuring 27.4 cm in height, the substantial piece portrays a huge, majestic elephant in motion, with its trunk raised and three Indian figures mounted upon its back.

The elephant has been beautifully detailed throughout, with extensive hand-engraved decoration to the head, body, legs and particularly the elaborate saddlecloth.

Mounted upon its back are three individually modelled figures, including a central seated figure upon an ornate throne-like seat. Interestingly, this central figure and seat form a removable cover, revealing the hollow interior of the elephant.

Further wonderful details include the elephant's raised trunk, prominent tusks, large ears, curled tail and finely delineated facial features, together with the decorative treatment of the riders and their costumes.

The bronze has developed a wonderful, naturally aged patina, with attractive variations in colour and areas of warmer golden bronze showing through from generations of handling and wear.

A particularly substantial and highly decorative antique bronze, with tremendous character and presence.

Attributes:

Indian

Bronze

Hand engraved

19th Century

Circa: 1850–1900

Condition:

Good antique condition, with age-related surface wear, marks, rubbing, patination and minor imperfections consistent with its considerable age.

Please study the accompanying photographs, which form an integral part of the condition report.

A fabulous and highly decorative 19th-century Indian bronze elephant that displays magnificently.

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 10.8'' | 27.4 cm

Width: 10'' | 25.4 cm

Depth: 4'' | 10.1 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

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Physical Dimensions

Height

27.4cm (10.79")

Width

25.4cm (10.00")

Depth

10.1cm (3.98")

Declaration

Artsonline has dated this Indian Bronze Elephant Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1234817

Dealers Notes

CONTACT US:

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Tel: 01749 595 507

Mobile: 07784 085 135

Outside the UK:

Tel: 0044 1749 595 507

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PAYMENT:

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Description

Large 19th-Century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Brief Description:

“

This is an impressive large and extremely decorative 19th-century Indian bronze engraved elephant sculpture with three mounted riders and a removable figural cover.

Artsonline

fig 1. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 1. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Weighing an impressive 3 kg and measuring 27.4 cm in height, the substantial piece portrays a huge, majestic elephant in motion, with its trunk raised and three Indian figures mounted upon its back.

The elephant has been beautifully detailed throughout, with extensive hand-engraved decoration to the head, body, legs and particularly the elaborate saddlecloth.

fig 2. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 2. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Mounted upon its back are three individually modelled figures, including a central seated figure upon an ornate throne-like seat. Interestingly, this central figure and seat form a removable cover, revealing the hollow interior of the elephant.

fig 3. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 3. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Further wonderful details include the elephant's raised trunk, prominent tusks, large ears, curled tail and finely delineated facial features, together with the decorative treatment of the riders and their costumes.

fig 4. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 4. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

The bronze has developed a wonderful, naturally aged patina, with attractive variations in colour and areas of warmer golden bronze showing through from generations of handling and wear.

A particularly substantial and highly decorative antique bronze, with tremendous character and presence.

fig 5. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 5. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Attributes:

Indian

Bronze

Hand engraved

19th Century

Circa: 1850–1900

Condition:

Good antique condition, with age-related surface wear, marks, rubbing, patination and minor imperfections consistent with its considerable age.

fig 6. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 6. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Please study the accompanying photographs, which form an integral part of the condition report.

A fabulous and highly decorative 19th-century Indian bronze elephant that displays magnificently.

Overall Measurements:

fig 7. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 7. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 10.8'' | 27.4 cm

Width: 10'' | 25.4 cm

Depth: 4'' | 10.1 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

fig 8. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 8. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

fig 9. A dark bronze 19th-century sculpture depicting an elephant with engraved decorative trappings and riders seated on its back. — fig 9. Large 19th-century Indian Bronze Engraved Elephant Sculpture with Riders

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.