elephant statues

Let this regal winged elephant figurine from Thailand's Duangkamol transport you to a magical realm. Expertly handcrafted using time-honored celadon ceramic techniques, this ethereal elephant combines Thailand's revered national symbol with imaginative whimsy. Its crackled jade glaze and gracefully uplifted wings evoke mythic elegance and flight, making it a singular work of artisan mastery that will brighten up any space.

In the stunning lands of the Thai region, a mystic symbol of wisdom and divinity emerges from the talented hands of master artisan Duangkamol. Working with traditional techniques, Duangkamol handcrafts this celadon ceramic figurine, depicting a winged elephant whose bright hue and crackled finish transport you to an ethereal realm.

This beautiful and fanciful elephant figure is calling for a new home. He is an alebrije, a wood carving of an animal in wild colors 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.

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.

Wood carvers in San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, crafted animal figurines for generations before the area's alebrije tradition took hold, mostly as children's toys. It's the gorgeous way even real animals are decorated that shows how the Oaxacan artisans have truly embraced the handicraft style. This hand carved copal wood elephant from Jesus and Roxana Hernandez is hand painted in green, with elaborate geometric motifs on its legs and ears in black combined with lovely purple, pink, and blue tones.

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 creatures 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.

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.