Ivory Coast Memory - Elephant Sculpture in Steel and Bronze Lace

This metal elephant sculpture was born from my deep admiration for the silent wisdom and peaceful power of the elephant.

With Mémoire d’Ivoire, I did not aim to faithfully reproduce the animal, but rather to evoke a presence. An emotion. An ancient memory inscribed in the material.

Through this metal lace, the elephant appears almost like an apparition. The voids, tears, and textures give the work a particular breath, as if the metal itself preserved the traces of time.

Here I work steel and bronze with a very instinctive approach. I like to let the material interact with chance, reliefs, roughness, and light. Depending on the viewing angle, the sculpture reveals new shapes and new emotions.

This work belongs to my Sculptures Intimes collection, a more personal series in which I seek to convey the fragility hidden behind strength. The elephant here becomes a symbol of memory, transmission, and inner presence.

The sculpture rests on a round, structured metal base, sober and mineral, on which I engraved my signature. Each piece I create thus bears the trace of my gesture and my universe.

Mémoire d’Ivoire is a unique piece entirely handmade in my workshop. It is intended for collectors and contemporary art lovers sensitive to material, the poetry of forms, and the power of life.

Sculpture Features

Title of the work	Mémoire d'Ivoire
Collection	Sculptures Intimes and Animal Collection
Artist	Philippe Buil
Type	Contemporary animal sculpture
Technique	Metal lace
Materials	Steel and Bronze
Signature	Engraved on the base

Base: Steel diameter 4 in

Dimensions: Height 9,5 in - Width 5,1 in - Depth 4 in

Learn more about the sculpture "Mémoire d’Ivoire"

What does the sculpture Mémoire d’Ivoire represent?

This work represents an elephant head interpreted in a contemporary and organic way through a metal lace of steel and bronze.

Why choose the elephant as the subject?

The elephant symbolizes memory, wisdom, quiet strength, and transmission. This sculpture seeks to express this deeply emotional presence.

What materials are used in this sculpture?

The sculpture is made of steel and bronze, two metals that allow creating contrasts of texture and light.

Is the sculpture handmade?

Yes, each sculpture by Philippe Buil is entirely handmade in his workshop in France.

Is this sculpture a unique piece?

Yes, Mémoire d’Ivoire is a unique work signed by the artist.

What is metal lace?

Metal lace is a sculptural technique that consists of piercing and working the metal to create effects of transparency, relief, and movement.

Is this sculpture suitable for a contemporary interior?

Yes, this work naturally fits into a contemporary, design, or artistic interior thanks to its clean and organic aesthetic.

Where is the artist's signature engraved?

Philippe Buil's signature is engraved directly on the metal base of the sculpture.