A large decorative figure of an Asian elephant with a rider, produced in the Orientalist style. The sculpture depicts a walking elephant with a youthful mahout or rider seated on its back. The mahout is dressed in a turban and a simple loincloth, seated atop a decorative, tasseled saddlecloth. The piece is finished with a polychrome painted and glazed surface in a warm, variegated brown and ochre palette, intended to simulate the appearance of a cold-painted bronze or carved wood. The underlying body of the piece is a white material, likely plaster or a heavy ceramic composition, which is visible at various points of surface loss. The design resembles well-known models produced by the Austrian sculptor Franz Bergman. No maker’s marks or signatures are visible.
Condition report:
The piece shows significant signs of wear and age. Notable losses include several prominent chips where the paint and outer layer have been removed, exposing the white underlying body, most notably on the elephant\'s right ear, the rear flank, and the edge of the saddlecloth. The elephant is currently missing its tusks, with holes remaining where they were originally inserted. There are general scattered surface abrasions, minor scuffing, and paint thinning consistent with handling. The item is in an uncleaned state with accumulated dust in the recesses.
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