Vintage 8.5" ASIAN ELEPHANT PUPPET Marionette Hand Carved & Painted Wood India

Description

Vintage
Hand Carved
ASIAN ELEPHANT PUPPET From India
Here is a nice large Asian Elephant marionette that my grandparents got in India back in the 1970's - elephants have a special place in Indian culture and are regarded as sacred animals in India, and have been widely used as transportation tools since ancient times.
"The elephant represents qualities of a good disciple in the Hindu culture. The big ears of an elephant are symbolic of how one should listen more than speak. When he needs to accomplish a certain task, physical pain, tiredness, hunger and thirst are no obstacles and elephants do not fear anything or anybody, and yet, they are extremely docile beings. The
Ganesh Chaturthi
festival is celebrated in India as the birthday of elephant-headed Hindu God
Ganesha
who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune."
This special elephant is hand carved and painted to look like it has a blanket on its back and a cap on his head - the way it would be decorated at the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The puppet strings (all complete) extend from a stick and are attached to articulated legs, trunk and neck for realistic movement. The ears are also hinged and move.
The elephant is 8" high by 4.5" wide and 8.5" long. It was displayed on a my grandparents shelf for many years before I obtained it, so it is in excellent condition - no cracks, chips, repairs or missing pieces and everything works. The paint is bright and fresh for as old as it is, which is 40 plus years! It was very dusty, so I gently cleaned all the dust off to bring out the beautiful color of the hard wood and paint.
It is really a nice piece and I hate to part with it, but I just don't have the room. Would make a nice display piece or can be featured in your own puppet show! You will not be disappointed with this one.