Meenakari Elephant Tealight Candle Holder

A High-Trunk Elephant in Enamel, with a Tealight at Its Side

The elephant stands with its trunk raised, the posture associated with luck and good energy, and a round holder sized for a tealight sits beside it on the base. The figure is metal, mounted on a wooden base that gives it weight and keeps it steady.

The meenakari work

Meenakari is enamel painting, an old craft where colour is fused onto metal. Here it covers the elephant in floral motifs, glossy and deep rather than flat, and the colour holds without fading. It is this painting that keeps the piece worth looking at even when no candle is lit.

When the candle is lit

The flame sits low, right beside the enamel, so the light bounces off the glossy colour rather than passing through anything. The effect is a warm, close glow rather than a pattern thrown on the walls.

Specifications

• Materials: Metal figure on a wooden base
• Dimensions: 19cm length x 10cm height
• Art form: Traditional meenakari enamel painting
• Takes: One standard tealight
• Care: Wipe with a dry cloth

As a gift

Commonly ordered as a return gift for housewarmings, weddings and Diwali, since it is compact, useful and clearly handmade.