elephant statues

This beautiful and fanciful elephant figure is calling for a new home. He is an alebrije, a wood carving of an animal in wild colours made famous in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. He is created and signed by artisans Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda. The tail is detached for safe shipping.

Alebrijes are often a hybrid of real animals, such as elephants and crocodiles, or they can be more fantastical creatures, such as dragons. Artisan Teresita Gonzalez of Xoxocotlan in the Mexican state of Oaxaca creates an elaborately hand carved copal wood alebrije dragonfly, or libelula. The insect is beautifully painted in bold red with accents of black, blue and yellow. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he became seriously ill and fell into a sort of coma. While he was unconscious, he had a most fantastic dream. He was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije, and when Linares woke up, he recreated these figures in vivid colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes . His work became famous and eventually influenced artisans in the state of Oaxaca who decided to craft alebrijes using traditional wood carving methods and according to that region's world vision.

A royally-clad elephant with a lotus blossom on its head appears to be in a state of utter relaxation. Share that feeling with this charming oil warmer, handcrafted of celadon ceramic using ancient techniques. Artisans Thatsanee and Ramphan of Thailand present the oil warmer, which features the traditional green crackled glaze.

Please note: Scented oils and tealights not included.

This friendly African osunu (elephant) raises its long lean trunk to shape the handle of this admirable walking stick. Ghanaian artisan Eva Asantewa Amakye creates the impressive design of this decorative walking stick. Carved by hand of seasoned sese wood, the walking stick features ornately embossed aluminum rings toward the bottom.

Many African societies regard a person with a walking stick with respect and dignity. Usually associated with age, an elderly person using a walking stick is believed to have accumulated vast knowledge and wisdom through the years. Traditionally, the design on a walking stick tells the societal status and political inclination of the person using it.

Indian artist Vidushini portrays a loving mother and joyful baby elephant strolling in the gardens using the Madhubani style of painting. Madhubani art began in the village of Maithili, of the Bihar state, originally created by women on the walls of their home. This style evolved from elaborate home decorations to becoming important aspects of festivals and eventually appealing to lovers of art both within India and internationally. The painting is signed by Vidushini, who specializes in Madhubani styles at this time and even had her artwork selected to be the cover of Delhi University's textbook, Indian History and Culture.

Young elephant Singha lives in a serene and friendly community of lovely giants like him, painting unique abstract compositions to raise awareness about Asian elephants and their endangered status.

The Thai Elephant Conservation centre (TECC) provides Singha with acrylic colours to paint over paper, creating a work featuring straight and faded lines in a colourful palette. This piece of art, with a seal of authenticity, helps the centre protect creatures like this talented artist, who was born without tusks and in a loving environment of rescued friends.

As Singha paints with a sensitive area of his trunk, his works could present slight smudging and an occasional water droplet.

Long the symbol of Thailand, a mighty and majestic elephant is the subject of this original oil on canvas by Innop. The artist uses impressionist techniques and a moody blue color palette to convey the beast's imposing stature and unflinching gaze.