Carved Elephant Coffee Table
These carved elephant coffee table pieces bring Anglo-Indian, Anglo-Burmese Colonial and Art Deco character into a room through dense woodwork.
Carved Elephant Coffee Table
A carved elephant coffee table combines low occasional surfaces with figural animal supports originating from nineteenth and early twentieth century workshops.
The selection frequently spans forms such as side tables, centre tables, hall benches and occasional tables rather than standard low coffee tables alone.
Origins trace primarily to Anglo-Indian and Anglo-Burmese colonial traditions, alongside occasional Art Deco interpretations incorporating carved elephants.
How they were made
Construction relies heavily on dense timbers such as teak, rosewood, hardwood and walnut, shaped to support heavy tops and figural bases.
Detailing often incorporates bone inlay and brass elements alongside deep hand carving that defines the trunks, tusks and heads of the elephants.
Carved Elephant Coffee Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for carved elephant coffee table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings incorporate items from the 1880s to the 1930s, utilising teak, rosewood, bone inlay, and brass.
What varies in quality
Quality rests on the depth and definition of the carving across the timber and the structural integration of the elephant supports with the tabletop.
Fine examples display careful selection of dense timbers like rosewood or teak, paired with crisp bone inlay work that remains stable within the wood.
The Carved Elephant Coffee Table Glossary
- Anglo-Indian
- Describing furniture made in India during the British period, frequently combining British furniture forms with local carving traditions. This style dominates many nineteenth century examples.
- Bone Inlay
- The technique of embedding small pieces of bone into a wooden surface to create geometric or floral patterns. It provides a striking contrast against dark hardwoods.
- Centre Table
- A large freestanding table designed to stand in the middle of a room rather than against a wall. These pieces often feature substantial carved elephant bases.
- Occasional Table
- A small, portable table used for light tasks or as a decorative accent. They appear frequently in various woods across early twentieth century listings.
Carved Elephant Coffee Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What woods are used?
The listings show items constructed from teak, rosewood, hardwood, walnut, and ebony. These dense timbers provide the necessary strength for intricate carving.
Bone inlay and brass also appear as supplementary materials on selected tables and benches.
How old are these tables?
Most examples date from the late nineteenth century through to the early twentieth century, spanning periods from the 1880s to the 1930s.
Earlier nineteenth century pieces appear alongside Art Deco variations from the interwar years.
Are they sturdy enough?
The tables utilise solid hardwoods like teak and rosewood, supported by figural elephant legs that distribute weight effectively.
Their heavy construction makes them suitable for daily use as coffee or side tables.
What styles are available?
Styles lean towards Anglo-Indian and Anglo-Burmese colonial aesthetics, characterised by dense floral and animal carving.
Art Deco examples also feature alongside traditional nineteenth century occasional tables and hall benches.