Description
A charming set of three elephant sculptures designed by Fratelli Mannelli in Italy during the 1970s. Each figure is meticulously hand-carved from travertine, presenting a minimalist and geometric interpretation of the animal form. The contours are pared-back yet expressive, balancing modernist abstraction with a gentle, lyrical spirit.
The porous surface and warm ivory tone of travertine add natural texture and depth, making each sculpture a unique expression of stone materiality. The larger elephant, affectionately “Dad” has been carefully restored, preserving its structural integrity while respecting the original craftsmanship.
Details
Artist / Maker: Fratelli Mannelli, Italy
Period: 1970s, Italian mid-century modern design
Material: Natural travertine, hand-carved
Set Composition & Dimensions (approx.):
Large figure (“Dad Elephant”): 9 × 10 × 2 cm
Medium figure: 6.5 × 8 × 2 cm
Small figure: 5 × 6 × 2 cm
Condition: Excellent vintage condition overall. The largest piece has been professionally restored. All surfaces retain a soft, natural patina.
About the Piece
This set of Fratelli Mannelli elephant sculptures beautifully exemplifies the playful yet refined character of 1970s Italian design. The combination of organic form, sculptural simplicity, and stone’s inherent warmth situates them perfectly within contemporary collector and designer interiors. Equally at home in a minimalist art shelf as they are in a curated architectural setting, these pieces offer both emotional presence and timeless modernist elegance.
Description
A charming set of three elephant sculptures designed by Fratelli Mannelli in Italy during the 1970s. Each figure is meticulously hand-carved from travertine, presenting a minimalist and geometric interpretation of the animal form. The contours are pared-back yet expressive, balancing modernist abstraction with a gentle, lyrical spirit.
The porous surface and warm ivory tone of travertine add natural texture and depth, making each sculpture a unique expression of stone materiality. The larger elephant, affectionately “Dad” has been carefully restored, preserving its structural integrity while respecting the original craftsmanship.
Details
Artist / Maker: Fratelli Mannelli, Italy
Period: 1970s, Italian mid-century modern design
Material: Natural travertine, hand-carved
Set Composition & Dimensions (approx.):
Large figure (“Dad Elephant”): 9 × 10 × 2 cm
Medium figure: 6.5 × 8 × 2 cm
Small figure: 5 × 6 × 2 cm
Condition: Excellent vintage condition overall. The largest piece has been professionally restored. All surfaces retain a soft, natural patina.
About the Piece
This set of Fratelli Mannelli elephant sculptures beautifully exemplifies the playful yet refined character of 1970s Italian design. The combination of organic form, sculptural simplicity, and stone’s inherent warmth situates them perfectly within contemporary collector and designer interiors. Equally at home in a minimalist art shelf as they are in a curated architectural setting, these pieces offer both emotional presence and timeless modernist elegance.
