Southeast Asian Carved Teak & Bamboo Howdah Chair

Lot description

Southeast Asian carved bamboo and teak howdah elephant chair, early 20th c., having spindled three quarter frame and bulbous finials, gilt painted floral and scrolled motifs, rising on curule base with bamboo and woven rattan, seat accompanied by hand-tied saddle bag with geometric designs, tasseled fringe to front, five upholstered pillows (one) tapestry upholstery, retaining makers tag "Gobly's" (Gobelins Manufactory, France), approx 29 1/8"h, 43.5"w, 24 5/8"d Provenance: From the estate of Connie Todd (Constance Clare Todd, Austin, Texas, 1941-2024). For many years, Connie Todd was the personal assistant to prominent Austin-based book publisher, photographer, and author Bill Wittliff (William Dale Wittliff, American, active in Austin, Texas, 1940-2019). Bill Wittliff wrote celebrated screenplays such as "Lonesome Dove" (1982), "Legends of the Fall" (1994), and "Barbarosa" (2000), and founded the regionally-oriented publishing company, Encino Press, with his wife Sally in 1963. Connie Todd later served as the founding director of the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University from 1997-2010, transforming it into an internationally-acclaimed collection through noteworthy acquisitions such as the Cormac McCarthy archive. After retiring from Texas State, Connie Todd spent time traveling the world with friends and family.