-Elephant with Howdah c. 1912s - 1922s

This cast iron elephant was made by the A.C. Williams Company, sometime after 1886. I love the slightly kitsch aesthetic, with the elephant rendered in simple, strong lines. The elephant is a muted gold colour, and I can imagine it was cast in one piece, then dipped into a huge vat of paint. Or perhaps sprayed in an industrial booth, layer after layer, to ensure a perfectly even coating? I wonder if the artist had to wear a mask, if the fumes were toxic? I really admire the maker of this piece; the challenge of creating a simple yet recognizable elephant form, while also being mindful of its function as a money box. It reminds me of when I am painting; playing with form and colour, but also aware of the bigger picture. The elephant might even be seen as a kind of readymade sculpture, just like Duchamp’s urinal. We can see how art is really a conversation; the artist responding to the world around them, and also to the art that has come before.