Modernist Burnt Wood Elephant Sculpture

This is a hand-carved decorative elephant sculpture fashioned from solid wood, featuring a distinctive scorched or Shou Sugi Ban inspired finish. The piece is characterized by its dynamic, upwards-reaching trunk with deep, rhythmic horizontal grooves that create a tactile, accordion-like texture. The body is rendered in a stylized, minimalist form with thick, columnar legs and oversized, flat ears that show a lighter, greyish patina compared to the charred black tones of the main body. The wood underneath the charring is a warm, medium-toned grain, visible in areas of wear and intentional distressing. Notable features include simple circular carved eyes and stubby tusks integrated into the head carving. In terms of condition, the sculpture exhibits significant surface wear, including scuffing on the tip of the trunk, chipping on the edges of the ears, and loss of the dark finish on the feet and lower legs, suggesting mid-to-late 20th-century origins. The craftsmanship is rustic yet deliberate, prioritizing silhouette and texture over anatomical realism, making it a classic example of global folk art or mid-century modern animalier decor with an emphasis on organic materials.