I think this was an effort to create an animal version of the “tree of life”, the Makonde people carvings produced in Tanzania, Africa. It has the shape of an elephant tusk but is made of a man made material – perhaps a bone/plaster mixture or resin. I originally thought that this might be from Africa. But, I really don’t know how this would fit with any peoples who would carve this sort of piece. Lots of animals – monkey, duck, owl, elephant, flamingo, reptile, squirrel, etc. My feeling – from the carving of the small-eared elephant – is that this carving is from Asia, perhaps China or India. The animals fit better with a Chinese piece. It’s really cool and would make a terrific display piece in an entry or hallway. Circa mid- to late-1900’s
Carved Tree of Animal Life, Man Made Material, Statue / Figure, Asia
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