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ID #SA615673
FOR SALE
£850
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Exceptional Pair of Carved Ebony Elephants.
For sale by W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
for sale €995     $1,080
£850
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2011
Browse dealers 249 items
  • About Us
    English and continental furniture, mirrors and decorative objects from the 18th & 19th centuries.
  • Trade Associations
    W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd. is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA615673
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Exceptional Pair of Carved Ebony Elephants.

19th century
Description

Each beautifully carved from a single piece of fine grained ebony and standing on a base with a carved molded edge. 200mm high, 330mm wide and 180mm deep. Circa 1880

Physical Dimensions
Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
18cm (7.09")
Declaration

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd. has dated these Carved Ebony Elephant Bookends to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA615673
Dealers Notes

W.J.Gravener Antiques are proud members of LAPADA, The London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association.

We offer an approachable and friendly service and we are always happy to hear from clients, both new and established.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Description
Each beautifully carved from a single piece of fine grained ebony and standing on a base with a carved molded edge. 200mm high, 330mm wide and 180mm deep. Circa 1880
Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
18cm (7.09")
Date of Manufacture

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd. has dated these Carved Ebony Elephant Bookends to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA615673
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2011

English and continental furniture, mirrors and decorative objects from the 18th & 19th centuries.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd. Profile Page

Trade Associations

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd. is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other.
1 / 7
Archive I A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other.

Exceptional Pair of Carved Ebony Elephants.

Archive II A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other. View II
Archive III A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other.
Archive V A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other. View V
Archive VI A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other. View VI
Archive VII A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
Telephone 07712 651231
Location
Unit 1
Warren Farm Stables
Sundridge
Nr Sevenoaks
Kent
TN14 6EE
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/wjantiques
Verified Since Oct 2011
Items For Sale 249
Items Sold 1,439
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.
Verified Since Oct 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Unit 1 , Warren Farm Stables , Sundridge , Nr Sevenoaks , Kent , TN14 6EE, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/wjantiques
Verified
Oct 2011
For Sale
249
Sold
1,439
A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other.
Exceptional pair of carved ebony elephants.
Ref: SA615673
A pair of dark carved ebony elephant sculptures mounted on oval carved wood bases facing each other.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Sculptures
  • Period19th century
  • StyleAnglo-Indian Colonial
  • MaterialEbony Wood, Bone Inlay
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsCarved ears, Curved trunk, Inlaid eyes, Gadrooned oval base
  • SizeH 20 cm (8 in) x W 33 cm (13 in) x D 18 cm (7 in)

This pair of Anglo-Indian Colonial decorative sculptures dates from 1880 and takes the form of two facing elephants. Carved from fine-grained black ebony wood, each sculpture depicts an elephant with detailed carved ears, a curved trunk, and inlaid bone eyes. They stand upon separate oval bases with carved gadrooned edge mouldings. Each sculpture measures 20 cm high, 33 cm wide, and 18 cm deep. These pieces fit naturally into a gentleman's library or study environment. They function well as heavy decorative bookends placed directly onto a bookshelf to support rows of books. Alternatively, they sit as standalone sculptural objects upon a mantelpiece, sideboard, or desk surface. Their dark tones and solid wood construction complement traditional interior schemes.

FAQs

Carved ebony animal figures gained widespread popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly within Anglo-Indian and colonial trade routes. Artisans harvested dense hardwood to craft decorative items for European export and library decor.

Authentic carved figures from this period were hand-carved from solid ebony wood, known for its extreme density and natural dark pigmentation. Details such as eyes and tusks were frequently fashioned from inlaid bone, shell, or ivory.

Genuine ebony is noticeably heavy for its size and exhibits a fine grain rather than a painted black finish. Authentic historical pieces show subtle hand-tooling marks along detailed areas and age-appropriate wear on the underside of bases.

Position a pair of ebony figures symmetrically on a dark wood desk, bookshelf, or sideboard to anchor literary displays. Their deep tone contrasts well against lighter backdrops, architectural plaster, or polished marble surfaces.

Dust ebony objects regularly using a dry, soft-bristled brush or microfibre cloth to remove debris from carved crevices. Avoid applying water or chemical cleaners, and periodically rub with microcrystalline wax to maintain the wood surface.
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