Early 20th Century African Elephant, Tiger and Woman Rider Varnished Wood Sculpture Signed by J. Zanetti

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Early 20th century african elephant, tiger and woman rider varnished wood sculpture signed by J. Zanetti

By: J. Zanetti
Material: … Read more Early 20th century african elephant, tiger and woman rider varnished wood sculpture signed by J. Zanetti

By: J. Zanetti
Material: wood
Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, varnished, polished
Dimensions: 5 in x 12.5 in x 12.5 in
Date: early 20th century, 1936
Style: Art Déco
Place of origin: South Africa

This expressive early 20th century wood sculpture signed by J. Zanetti depicts an elephant mid-stride, a tiger resting below, and a nude female rider in an animated pose. Carved from richly grained, varnished wood, the figures are captured in motion, the elephant's legs striding forward. Seated atop the elephant, the woman's swirling coiffure and outstretched arm convey a sense of vitality and farewell.

The energetic composition and Art Déco stylization reflect early 20th century african Modernism, as artists blended european avant-garde art with indigenous cultural motifs. Sculpting the wood's organic textures, Zanetti achieves a fluid, modernist rhythm. The emotionally evocative work synthesizes african folkloric themes and modernist figurativism in a vivid, animated tableau. See less