S e c r e t s

To honor the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, Master Carver Peter Calvesbert has carved the Democrat and Republican mascots, both popularized by 19th century editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast. Peter’s political animals – “Ebony” the donkey and “Ivory” the elephant - are stand-alone pieces, but the shape of their bases allows them to face off in head-to-head battle. The election date of November 4 is inscribed on the elephant’s trunk. “Welland or Florida” refers to Peter’s trip to sunny Florida for the HOP “Pirates of the Kingdom” convention (rainy Welland is where he calls home). The number on the base is his Florida fishing license, reminding him of Dover Lake and the one that got away. At the time of carving, John McCain was the presumptive Republican nominee – thus his initials in the interior.