All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(3600 products available)
Souvenir elephants come in different types, from traditional carving to modern designing. This variety gives customers multiple options based on budget and preferences.
Wooden Souvenir Elephants
Wood has the advantage of being shaped into detailed, beautiful forms. Thus, wooden elephant souvenirs are some of the most commonly used artifacts. These elephants are mostly created from premium wood types like teak or rosewood. These materials are mostly used by skilled artisans to show the elephant's natural beauty, which includes intricate detailing of the trunk and tusks. Large wooden elephants are usually acquired by people who have large homes or are elephant lovers. However, small wooden elephant carvings can easily be placed on shelves or work desks. A wooden elephant gift is also a perfect housewarming gift for friends and family.
Stone Souvenir Elephants
Incorporating stone crafting into souvenir elephants makes the item seem more permanent and concrete. Often, stones like soapstone or marble are shaped and polished to create smooth, beautiful pieces. Stone elephants are not only decorative but are also very artistic and add a touch of sophistication to any space. Mostly, these stone elephant figurines are used for centerpieces on coffee tables or as decor on shelves.
Metal Souvenir Elephants
For those who enjoy a more modern or industrial design, metal elephant souvenirs are a fitting choice. Brass, silver, or nickel makes these often lightweight, but visually attractive elements. Metal elephants, unlike wooden or stone carvings, can bring an artistic edge. It makes them suitable for contemporary homes or offices. They work best as accent pieces on desks, bookshelves, or in display cabinets.
Plaster Souvenir Elephants
If an affordable option is needed, consider plaster or resin-cast elephants. Plaster and resin give the artists a lot of room to work on them, thus creating elephants of any type. In addition, these materials allow painting, which provides the possibility of bright colors or cultural patterns. Painted plaster elephants can therefore create gorgeous decor on a budget. This type of souvenir is frequently bought in bulk and can add a lot of charm to a space.
Ceramic Souvenir Elephants
Ceramics are another versatile material, and traditional ceramic elephant souvenirs come in many forms. Brightly painted or classically designed, these porcelain pieces make noteworthy decor. Ceramic elephants work perfectly as decorative items in homes because they bring color and culture to a room.
Elephant design reflects the cultural representation of the region the item is purchased from. When designing these souvenirs, the following factors are taken into consideration.
Traditional Designs
In many cases, these traditional-designed souvenirs are incorporated into existing cultures and traditions. Several countries, for instance, have decorated elephants with diverse colors or patterns that signify their culture. Usually, such patterns are doing through embroidery or painting. The actual design is embedded into a wooden carving or ceramic piece and may involve detailed floral, geometrical, or religious motifs. For instance, clothes of Indian elephants are normally represented by mirror work and bright colors in their design. On the other hand, Thai souvenirs are elephants with gold leaf decorations and traditional dancing clothing. Traditional design souvenirs give the consumers a sense of history and a tangible connection to the culture.
Modern and Minimalist Designs
However, not all the decorative elephants are designed in a traditional way. Modern and minimalist Egyptian elephant souvenirs are increasingly being embraced by the youth due to their simple and sleek lines. These designs often use single colors or subtle tones in order to ensure that the item is not too cluttered when placed in a certain room. When it comes to interior decor, modern elephants look nicer on work desks and shelves than traditional designs. This is because they are easier to match with the contemporary aesthetics.
Functional Souvenirs
While most elephants are designed for decorative purposes, some are functional. An example of functional elephants is those created using ceramics and are used as planters. Other examples include those made of metal and can be used as candle holders. These elephants offer a dual purpose, making them practical gifts for tourists. It is worth noting that the combination of function with culture enhances the value of the souvenir further.
Souvenir Elephants with Symbols
Often, souvenir elephants come with symbols that have different meanings. For instance, elephants in some cultures are considered a representation of good fortune and wisdom. Therefore, such charms are added to the souvenirs to spread positivity around. Some of the symbols that might be found on such souvenir items include the elephant hoisting its trunk, thus sprinkling good luck all over, or the embellishment of the eye of Horus to attract positive vibes and riches.
Souvenir elephants are purchased in different settings and have distinct meanings. Below are common scenarios where an elephant-shaped item is bought or gifted.
Travel Souvenirs
Elephant souvenirs are mainly acquired by travelers on their adventures. Normally, it acts as a vivid memory of the place they visited. People traveling to African countries expect to find the Akabeko elephant and may bring one back as a memory of their trips. Accordingly, these souvenirs remind people of their favorite experiences and help make the memories look better.
Home Décor
Elephant figures are ideal for home decor as they embody design and symbolism. If designed elegantly, these elephant statues can boost a living room or bedroom. Elephants are said to bring positive energy, according to Feng Shui; thus, people purposely place them in certain areas in the house for this reason. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, elephant statues are commonly regarded as meaningful artifacts that unify the design element with the cultural significance.
Gifts for Friends and Family
More importantly, souvenir elephants make excellent gifts. A lot of people gift plaster or resin souvenir elephants to their friends and family. These gifts, moreover, possess both a charm and something useful. One, an elephant souvenir figurine can be placed anywhere in an office, hence making it a perfect gift for a friend or loved one.
Collecting
As stated, some individuals also love collecting different types and designs of elephant souvenirs. This passion can be for the carving of wooden elephants or ceramic ones, the desire to collect cultural artifacts. The collectors usually pay much attention to little details and craftsmanship when adding new items to their collection. So, the same thing applies to those who are passionate about collecting items. Collecting elephant souvenirs is interesting and enables one to learn about different cultures through the pieces of art.
Corporate Gifting
Corporate sectors also use souvenir elephants as part of their corporate gifts. These elephants promote teamwork, synergy, and good relationships between the giver and receiver.
To ensure the longevity and the continued aesthetic of the elephant souvenirs, it is paramount that proper care and maintenance be taken.
Wooden Elephants
Wooden elephants require slight but special care to avoid drying and cracking. First, to maintain the luster and detail of the carving, one has to apply a thin coat of furniture oil, such as teak or lemon oil, on the surface once in a while. Second, wooden items should be kept constantly away from direct sunlight, as this will dry the wood. Additionally, wooden souvenirs must be dusted regularly, but this should be done using a soft, dry cloth to prevent scratches on the item.
Stone Elephants
Debris removal for elephants made of stones is easy because most of them have smooth and tough surfaces. Wash these pieces occasionally with soapy water to eliminate any sticky or dirty substance that could be on them. Abrasive cleaning detergents or rough sponges should be avoided as much as possible, considering they might damage the structure. These stone figurines should also be maintained by avoiding areas of heat and direct sunlight, which could lead to the fading of their colors.
Metal Elephants
Polishing is needed for metal elephant souvenirs, especially if they are brass or silver. Because metal can sometimes become tarnished, it is advisable to use metal polish for that specific type of metal in order to clean it. For the protection of metal souvenirs, a layer of protective wax or varnish can be given. Maintenance consists of wiping the surface with a dry cloth and keeping the item in a location that is not constantly exposed to humidity.
Ceramic and Plaster Elephants
Fragile elephant memorabilia, created using ceramics and plaster, need to be handled with a lot of care. In order to avoid smashing or breaking them, display them in places where they will not be easily knocked down. Dust a resin elephant with a dry cloth on a daily basis rather than weekly. Once in a while, wash ceramic painted pieces with soapy water; however, do not use any strong chemicals that may strip the artwork.
Packaging for Travel
If the souvenir elephant is to be transported, good and safe packing is crucial. Also, wrap the element in bubble wrap or soft cloth to cushion it from shocks during the journey. In addition, place the item in a sturdy box and add cushioning to avoid movement in the box. If the item is fragile, make a clear label saying 'fragile' on it to indicate that care should be taken when handling it.
A1: In most cases, elephants are considered omens of luck and power in a majority of cultures.
A2: Yes, plaster and resin CAST makes them stylish and affordable for travelers.
A3: Souvenir elephants are made of wood, stone, metal, and plaster.
A4: Apply a coat of oil and keep them in shaded places.
A5: It serves as an everlasting memory of friendship.
