Item Report
Indian Folk Painted Wood Elephant Processional Figure
By: Unknown, typical of Rajasthani or North Indian artisan workshops
Style: Indian Folk Art
Origin: India
Materials: Wood, hand-painted polychrome decoration
Age: Circa 1940–1970
Condition: Good (significant paint loss, surface wear, no major structural damage visible)
Value: $40–$100 (auction estimate, if authentic and in this condition)
Maker's Marks / Writing: No visible maker’s marks or inscriptions.
Date: 2025-06-25 20:46:30.217658
Description:
This is a hand-carved and hand-painted wooden folk art figure depicting a decorated elephant with two riders under a canopied howdah. Such processional elephant figures are often crafted as decorative items in Rajasthan and other regions of India. The piece displays bright colors, geometric and floral patterning, and naive, stylized figures typical of mid-20th century Indian folk art. There is notable wear and paint loss, suggesting some age and handling.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A charming, decorative example of mid-20th century Indian folk carving, likely intended as a souvenir or for festival display. The wear, patina, and paint loss are consistent with the age estimate and add to the authenticity and folk appeal. Not a museum-grade antique but collectible for those interested in folk art and Indian decorative objects. A word about fakes: mass-produced modern reproductions exist, but the wear here suggests genuine mid-century craft rather than a new creation.
Individual Images:
- Only one image is provided. There is notable chipping of paint and some surface gouges
- especially around the feet and trunk of the elephant
- consistent with handling and age. Detailing remains clear on the canopy and rider figures.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided.
Condition:
Good (significant paint loss, surface wear, no major structural damage visible)
Identification Score: 90%
Identification is highly confident based on form, subject matter (elephant with howdah and riders), and characteristic folk painting of northern India.
Authenticity Score: 65%
Moderate confidence in authenticity as a mid-20th-century hand-crafted folk art piece, due to visible age, paint loss, and style. Not an antique, but not a brand-new reproduction either.
Image Memory Note
Hand-carved, hand-painted wood elephant with two riders under a canopy, showing paint wear; likely Rajasthani folk art circa 1940–1970.
Keywords
Indian folk art, painted wood, elephant figurine, processional, Rajasthani, mid-century, India, collectible, decorative arts
Comparables (Similar Items)
No archived comparables matched this report yet.
Share: