Velvet Elephants

A family of elephants romp in the cooling waters of a river during the sunset hours in this beautiful velvet wall fan. This is an original work of art and is entirely hand-painted. The structure of the wall fan is made of natural bamboo and the fabric is that of black velvet. The scene is made using acrylic paints, which creates a unique neon-like effect on the velvet background. This is a scene reminiscent to one that can be seen in Thailand, where elephants are numerous and held in high regard. Here a mother and father elephant oversea their two young calves frolicking in a gently flowing river. The setting sun in the background can be seen beyond the mist and trees that make up the scene. It is likely the cooler months, as some of the foliage has turned a brownish-auburn color, while others still remain green. Interestingly, most elephants are most active during dawn and evening and prefer to be less active during the day. In terms of social dynamics, female elephants live in a herd of 10 individuals. The leader of the herd is usually the most experienced elephant. In contrast, male elephants lead a more solitary existence and move from herd to herd as they see fit. Unlike many other animals, the elephant sleeps standing up and has very strong legs. To communicate over vast distances (several miles) they stomp their feet on the ground and make low frequency sounds, too low for human ears to hear. There is a great degree of cooperation among elephants and they are said to be the only other creature besides humans to have a death ritual. When one of their herd gets sick, the other members will care for it by bringing it food and help supporting it while it stands. If that elephant dies, the herd will grow quiet and dig a shallow grave for the deceased elephant. The herd then covers the deceased elephant with branches and dirt. This shows that the elephant is not only smart, but has feelings akin to human beings. Perhaps that is why the elephant has been so respected throughout various cultures through the centuries. Or perhaps it's because the elephant is the true king of the jungle. Either way, this gorgeous hand-painted work will be an inspirational art piece you can treasure on your wall for years to come.