An elephant with its trunk raised has been a good-luck symbol for centuries. This elephant statue sits in your garden with a lantern hanging from the tip of its trunk. By day it's a garden statue with a weathered stone look; at dusk the solar lantern switches itself on. No wiring and no switch — set it down in the sun and it lights itself every evening.

Why It Stands Out

• Statue and light in one — a garden ornament is usually dark after sunset, and a solar light usually looks like hardware during the day. This one earns its place at both ends of the day
• Solar lantern, switches on by itself — the panel in the lantern cap charges through the day and the light comes on automatically at night
• Trunk raised for luck — the traditional lucky elephant pose, which is a big part of why it's such a popular elephant gift
• One of the easier gifts for gardeners — it doesn't need to match their plants or their taste in tools. A birthday, housewarming or Christmas present that goes straight into the garden
• Weathered stone finish — a bronze-brown, textured imitation stone look, with detail in the ears, skin and curled tail. It reads as a proper elephant sculpture, not a novelty
• Resin, built for outdoors — a resin garden statue is lighter than cast stone and far less likely to chip or crack if it's knocked, and made for life outside in the garden
• A good size for real gardens — at 38 cm tall it holds its own in a garden bed but still suits a balcony, a step or a table on the patio

Where to Put It

• Garden beds and borders — as garden decor tucked among low planting, where the lantern glows through the foliage at night
• Front steps and entries — a welcoming light by the door that nobody has to remember to switch on
• Patios and alfresco areas — on a low wall, ledge or outdoor table as patio decor with its own soft light
• Balconies and courtyards — a compact garden figurine that brings some life to a small outdoor space
• Beside a pond or water feature — lit water and an elephant are a natural pairing
• Among other garden sculpture — it sits well with pots, pavers and stone, and works as solar garden decor where you'd otherwise have an unlit corner. Elephant decor and elephant ornament collectors tend to give it pride of place
• As a pair — two facing each other either side of a path or doorway makes a striking entrance

How It Works

1. The lantern cap charges by day — a small solar panel on top of the lantern collects sunlight and stores it in the built-in battery.
2. A light sensor watches for dusk — when the light fades, the lantern switches on by itself.
3. It glows through the evening — how long depends on how much sun it had that day. A full sunny day gives the longest glow.
4. It switches off at daylight — and starts charging again, every day, with nothing to plug in or switch on.

How to Set It Up

1. Unpack and check the lantern — make sure it's hanging securely from the tip of the trunk.
2. Choose a sunny spot — the panel is on top of the lantern, so it needs direct sun on it. In Australia a north-facing position charges best.
3. Set it on firm, level ground — a paver, a flat patch of soil or a solid ledge. Resin is lighter than stone, so on an exposed balcony or windy site, keep it sheltered.
4. Give it a full day of sun first — the first night will be short if it hasn't had a proper charge.
Tip: keep it clear of taller plants that will shade the lantern cap by midsummer. A panel in shade is the usual reason a solar light seems to stop working.

Care and Maintenance

• Wipe the solar panel — dust, pollen and bird droppings on the lantern cap cut the charge. A damp cloth every few weeks is enough
• Clean the statue gently — a soft brush and plain water. No pressure washer, bleach or harsh cleaners, which can strip the finish
• Don't leave it standing in water — keep it off spots where rain pools
• Bring it in for storms — resin is light enough to be blown over in strong wind or hail
• Expect shorter nights in winter — less sun means less charge. That's normal for any solar light

Specifications

What's Included

• 1 × Resin elephant statue with solar lantern