Daum France Crystal Elephant Paperweight or Decorative Sculpture

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Description

Daum, France, created this adorable crystal elephant figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the late 1970s. The sculpture … Read more Daum, France, created this adorable crystal elephant figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the late 1970s. The sculpture features a lovely sitting elephant with dimensional carving. The paperweight is signed on the underside with the Daum acid-etched "Flower + Nancy" mark*.
Measurements: 2.57 in wide (6.5 cm) by 2.75 in deep (7 cm) by 3.13 in high (8 cm).

Note: Animal representation has been one of Daum Manufacture's favorite themes since the early 20th Century. Almaric Walter and Antonin Daum, influenced by Naturalism and Art Nouveau, were the driving forces behind the animal movement. The manufacturer then created decorative objects in crystal and pâte de verre, as well as realistic animal sculptures with astonishing polychrome.

*The Daum mark with the stylized flower and "Nancy" was used for pieces sold directly at the Daum factory in Nancy. This specific stamp corresponds to works produced between the 1960s and 2000. After 2000, a similar mark was used but included the production year. These items are factory seconds, sold only in the factory store or during an annual private sale for employees and local residents. Factory seconds typically show small imperfections—such as tiny bubbles, slight distortions, or uneven icing—and may lack a final finish. Pieces with major defects are destroyed and never sold. Official factory seconds do not carry the standard Daum signature; instead, they are engraved with this special mark. For most buyers, especially beginners, the flaw that led to the piece being classified as a second is often nearly impossible to detect. See less