A monumental silver African bull elephantdesigned and modelled by Victor Hayton for the World Wildlife Fund, maker's mark for Hamilton and Inches, Edinburgh 1997, signed 'Hayton', limited edition numbered 2 of 5, script '94 and additional markA realistically modelled African bull elephant, naturalistically cast and chased in intricate detail, the powerful animal suspended in motion, with animated expression and powerful polished tusks to the fore, comes with a framed limited edition lithograph bearing the image of the elephant, signed by the artist and certifying this is model number two of only five cast, and inscribed 'Amboseli, June 1993', height 38cm, length 60cm, weight 428oz. (2)Footnotes:Amboseli National Park is part of a vast, cross-border wildlife ecosystem about 200 kilometres south of Nairobi. An oasis supporting over 1,800 elephants and other megafauna in the dusty shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and the only national park in Kenya established through negotiations with community landowners. The park's African elephants have thrived in this small, semi-arid landscape. Water from seasonal swamps sustains them, and the community lands provide safe and secure spaces to graze. Amboseli National Park therefore offers some of the best opportunities to see African wildlife, because of the sparse vegetation due to the long, dry months. The protected area is not only home to African bush elephant, but also to Cape buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, Masai giraffe, Grant's zebra, and blue wildebeest, with a whole host of large and small birds.In the 1990s, this magnificent African bull elephant silver sculpture was purportedly commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Beautifully executed by the artist Victor Hayton, it is number two out of a limited edition of five made. Given the date of this piece, it is possible (although not confirmed) that this was a representation of 'Tim', the famous great tusker who roamed freely across Amboseli National Park for over 50 years, and was its most famous resident. With his giant stature and spectacular tusks, watching Tim stride out across the Kenyan plains was without doubt a sight to behold, and was a huge draw for the many tourists who visited the Kenyan reserve in the hope of seeing him.Born in January 1969, Tim was four years old when he first came to the attention of wildlife conservation organisations operating in Amboseli. They watched as he grew and became independent, observed him as he reached maturity, and were proud to see him become one of Africa's most famous elephant's, thanks, in part, to his exceptional tusks. Tim was a magnificent bull elephant; one of Kenya's last great tuskers. But it wasn't just his tusks which set him apart from the herd. Amongst those who observed him, he was renowned for his calm and gentle nature, and was popular with other elephants of all ages. He was known to nurture friendships with younger males who were learning to be independent, and was a favourite choice of mate for females, fathering multiple calves over his lifetime. He died of natural causes in 2020, creating global headlines, with the world mourning his passing. The Duke of Edinburgh, way before it became fashionable, carried out pioneering work promoting environmental causes, having encouraged conservation in his singular style throughout his life. His passion for conservation and the environment was best characterised by his long relationship with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). He toured the world to draw attention to the plight of wildlife endangered by poaching, deforestation and pollution, photographing seals in Antarctica, feeding elephants in Africa and posing with pandas in China. 'We depend on being part of the web of life, we depend on every other living thing on this planet, just as much as they depend on us,' he once reflected. Tim, alongside the other protected African elephants and wildlife at Amboseli, was a testament to what effective conservation could achieve. This symbolic sculpture was purportedly offered to chosen Heads of State to promote the organisation's aims and raise funds, a tool to encourage conservation activism globally (please note, this information is anecdotal rather than verified). As such, His Royal Highness was actively involved with the World Wildlife Fund from 1961 in a variety of roles, from President of the UK branch, to member of the International Board to International President and finally President Emeritus. At the invitation of Sir Peter Scott, the founding chairman of the World Wildlife Fund, The Duke of Edinburgh became President of the Fund's UK Branch in 1961. Between 1965 and 1980 he was a member of the Board of Trustees of WWF International. In 1981 His Royal Highness gave up the UK Presidency and became International President until 1996 when he retired and became President Emeritus.As Pavan Sukhdev, President of WWF International stated on the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2021:-'The Duke of Edinburgh has been a tireless champion for the environmental cause and a passionate ambassador for conservation issues around the world for decades. His Royal Highness helped chart the course of WWF from its very beginning and has truly made enormous contributions to the organization.'Across more than 50 years, His Royal Highness, Prince Philip's efforts on behalf of WWF have been inestimable – visiting WWF projects in over fifty countries on five continents, promoting conservation issues at the highest government and corporate levels, and helping with essential fundraising and awareness promotion...'This imposing silver sculpture of a proud and free roaming African bull elephant symbolises what the World Wildlife Fund represents, and what we need to protect and preserve for future generations.Literature:Born Free Foundation, 'Remembering Tim: 1969 - 2020', accessed via https://www.bornfree.org.uk/articles/remembering-timKenya Wildlife Service, 'Amboseli National Park', accessed via https://www.kws.go.ke/amboseli-national-parkThe Independent, 'How Prince Philip tacked conservation and climate change', 9th April 2021, accessed via https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/prince-philip-conservation-climate-change-b1829227.htmlWorld Wildlife Fund, 'HRH The Duke of Edinburgh', accessed via https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?1995941/A-champion-for-the-environmentFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
