§ Peter Weldon Majolica elephant samovar "Loxodonta Africana".

Peter Weldon Majolica elephant samovar "Loxodonta Africana", the elaborate vessel with winged elephant finial surrounded by four candle sconces, sat on a saddle supported by an elephant on scrolled, encrusted and egg and dart architectural base mounted with a further four candle sconces, the base marked with impressed stamps as well as signed and dated 1989, marked Tettenhall College, 92cm high

Peter Weldon is a specialist in design and manufacture of period architectural ironwork. His initial training was in the ceramics industry when this piece was produced as part of his degree show. In 1994 Weldon founded his own ceramic business and went on to produce such feats as replicating the famous ‘Tulipieres’ from Chatsworth House, as well as developing Sevres-style copies with lost-wax bronze mounts and raised paste gilding. In 2001 Peter Weldon sold his ceramic business in order to focus on Ironwork. This current Elephant Samovar is thought to be one of only two produced by Peter Weldon, the technical proficiency to fire such a piece successfully is quite astounding.