Antique Carnival or Circus Shooting Target Hammered Elephant. A delightful unusual find of an antique steel elephant soldered on a steel platform, all hand done. Until the end of the 19th century, the only welding process was forge welding, which blacksmiths had used for millennia to join steel by heating and hammering. The aged patina on the steel gives the elephant a lovely primitive antique look. Very neat and unusual steel statue that is a blacksmith creation. This may be a turn of the century circus or carnival shooting target practice animal. Not sure of that, I just cannot image what it was made for. This elephant has been hand made by a skillful blacksmith with hand folded and hand molded steel. There is just enough areas of rust to add antiquity. Lots of rust with oxidation scattered about. I have not cleaned this elephant and is in the same condition as found, a little dusty. Any deep cleaning is left up to you in case you want to retain the antique patina. Steel may require extra cleaning. Stands well on its platform, and will not tip over. Measures 13- 1/’2″ long at bottom base and 13-1/4″ height of raised trunk, approx. 1-1/2 thick at torso. This is a nice antique primitive elephant, country collectible for your rustic home decor. Because of the size there is a spot for it. I would date this to be turn of the century or earlier. A lovely old elephant statue and worthy of one’s antique elephant collection. Our antiques are collectible and are not new and not reproductions, and have lived a long and eventful life and sometimes developing flaws. Therefore, use and wear should be expected with these items, unless stated in description. We do not clean or alter unless stated in listing, and most times have been in storage for many decades picking up old age storage oxidation spots. As condition and description is largely based on personal opinion, we ask that you look at the photos carefully and decide. We are happy to answer any questions about this item. International Buyers Please Note… We do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as gifts’ – US and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Item: Tin Elephant – pg6/22.