What is an elephant table?

An elephant table is a regional Anglo-Indian occasional piece featuring structural supports carved in the likeness of elephants. These figures typically form the legs or pedestal base of the table. Such items reflect nineteenth-century colonial taste and showcase the figurative wood-carving skills of artisans working in regions like the Bombay Presidency.

How do I use an accent table?

These compact pieces function effectively as bedside stands, lamp supports, or coffee surfaces in compact spaces. Their varied heights and shapes allow them to sit beside sofas or armchairs. The distinct carved surfaces also mean these tables serve as standalone decorative focal points within a room.

What distinguishes Anglo-Burmese furniture?

Anglo-Burmese furniture is characterised by deep, heavy relief carving executed in dense teak. The motifs often incorporate elaborate foliage and animal figures specific to nineteenth-century Burmese workshops. These tables frequently take octagonal or multi-tiered forms designed for colonial domestic use.

How does brass inlay work?

Brass inlay involves recessing thin metal wire or sheet into hand-carved channels within the hardwood surface. Artisans hammer the metal into place to create intricate geometric patterns. This technique provides a sharp visual contrast against the dark grain of teak or hardwood.