It is very rare to find examples of this type of gold weight, depicting an elephant with a bird on its back.
The elephant tusks are large and curved, adjoining the end of its trunk. The bird sits leaning forward with its beak resting on the base of one of the tusks.
The surface is worn and smooth, and it is likely this weight would date to the 18th century. Other examples of this type of gold weight are featured in Tom Phillips' book African Goldweights (p.147), in which they are dated to the 17th -19th century.
Estimated Period: 18th-19th Century
Length: 5cm
Height: 4cm
(One of the elephant's front legs has been restored)
We provide an in-house packing and global shipping service via courier at reasonable rates, nothing is too big or small. Don't hesitate to reach out for an estimate.
(Click on images to enlarge)