The always-popular elephants, portrayed with their trainer, offer a challenge to the imagination and the ability of the whittler.

The pattern in Figure 172 is used to make both elephants-one with its trunk raised and the other with its trunk lowered. Use a block 1 1/2 inches thick, 4 inches wide, and 5 inches high, with the grain in the direction shown.

Draw the center line and then start carving at the ears. Figure 173. Go back to the tail and work up over the back, forming the rounded portion of the sides. The hind legs are tapered down to a width of 1 inch across the stand. For the open space between the legs, see Figure 174. Both sides of the elephants are the same.

Figure 172

Figure 173

Figure 174

The tail is inch thick at the base. Figure 175 gives detailed construction of the back and the top of the head. Figures 176 and 177 show the side views.

For color, see Figure 178. Details of the eyes and trunk are added with brush and India ink.

The ringmaster is cut from a block 1 inch thick, 2 1/2 inches high, and 1 inch wide. Follow the sketches and color charts for carving and painting. Figures 179-181.

Figure 176

Figure 178

Figure 179

Figure 180

Figure 181