If I remember correctly it was originally the stables for a nearby school and just a “normal” half-timbered house until it was restored / rebuilt in the 1970s. Michelstadt and the neighbouring town of Erbach were the German centre of ivory carving (going back a century to the earl living in the area). The town trained many ivory carvers and has a wonderful training school for carvers (they don’t do proper ivory anymore, of course, using other materials like vegetable ivory) and in both towns one finds little workshop where art and decorations are sold and made to order. Their Christmas markets are something else! And one such man who still trained as an elephant ivory carver planned the renovations and incorporated elephants all over the design. It is used as a small restaurant or café today, with the elephant theme also used on the interiors.
I’ll chat to my friend who regularly visits Christmas markets then. I know she hasn’t been here, so might be able to persuade her to come with me 🙂 thank you so much for the tip
pictures imperfect blog 
such a wonderful decoration . . . do you know why it is so named?
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If I remember correctly it was originally the stables for a nearby school and just a “normal” half-timbered house until it was restored / rebuilt in the 1970s. Michelstadt and the neighbouring town of Erbach were the German centre of ivory carving (going back a century to the earl living in the area). The town trained many ivory carvers and has a wonderful training school for carvers (they don’t do proper ivory anymore, of course, using other materials like vegetable ivory) and in both towns one finds little workshop where art and decorations are sold and made to order. Their Christmas markets are something else! And one such man who still trained as an elephant ivory carver planned the renovations and incorporated elephants all over the design. It is used as a small restaurant or café today, with the elephant theme also used on the interiors.
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ahha! That all makes sense . . .and noted about the Christmas markets. Maybe one of these years I will pop across 🙂
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This one is really special 🙂
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I’ll chat to my friend who regularly visits Christmas markets then. I know she hasn’t been here, so might be able to persuade her to come with me 🙂 thank you so much for the tip
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If you go let me know – my grandson lives around the corner and I’m offering me as guide 🙂
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oh wow that would be amazing. I’ll chat to her this week!
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😀
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I’ll promise 2 guides: I’m sure geriatrix would join in.
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Currently looking at dates, travel options and places to stay!!
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