Elephant Head Pull Handle

The shutters have a double profile: glass shutters opening on the outside, and insect-proof mesh shutters opening inwards.

Metal grill-work between the two reduced the space available for a handle.

I could not find suitable handles for this configuration and so decided to design and make my own.

The design criteria
Between the 2 types of shutters is a metal grill and with very little clearance between the shutters and grill-work. Normal handles did not work for this. I needed very low profile handles.

These would need to be sturdy enough to pull the weight of the heavy shutters and fold away inconspicuously when not in use.

At the same time the handles had to match the modern colonial style architectural idiom of the building and be compatible with the different decor of each room. A universal design was needed that would not clash with other handles that may be used in the different spaces of the building. Not such a simple job!

The inspiration
For the design I took inspiration from the majestic elephant for its wisdom and strength energies. This seemed very fitting as the small handle would be pulling a heavy load of the shutters!

• The image of the pull handle did not evolve in my mind over time but was more or less an instant idea. Translating this into reality was an entirely different and time consuming process.

The process
The first step was to get a wooden model carved. This was done based on my sketches and my drawing the pattern in profile on a piece of wood. After a satisfactory wood carving was made, sand cast samples were made in lead, refining the design all the while.

I obsessed about every detail of the pull handle: the curves, slopes, angles, the pyramid proportion of the elephant head, the positioning of the visible counter-sunk screw recess to look like a 'gaja mani' and so on.

I also toyed with the idea of sticking a colored glass or crystal cabochon bead over the screw in the gaja mani position but decided against it. I had many other details to work out in addition to my professional work and did not need the additional stay-awake time!

My assistant Ashok had the job of overseeing execution of the refinements. We continued this exercise over many weeks until I was satisfied with the final design and we needed to cast this in the metal of choice. This choice was difficult to make for various reasons.

• I was looking for a low maintenance dull satiny metallic finish to complement the natural red of the mahogany shutters and the brushed steel finish of the window frames.

Past experience to the rescue!
We tried brass, bronze, zinc, aluminum, gun metal, bell metal and found them variously too heavy, or too light, too brittle, or very expensive. I rejected applied finishes as they wear off with use in time The 'feel' and look was just not right. This is where one of my past 'jack of all trades' experiences came in handy!