Bidspirit auction | US Navy Subic Bay Plaque

US Navy Subic Bay Plaque to L. Johnson - 15 x 15.5 inches. A large custom-made military presentation plaque from the Cold War era, featuring a sand-cast white metal elephant mounted on a silhouette-cut mahogany-toned wooden backing. The central figure is a ceremonial Indian elephant rendered in relief, adorned with a decorative caparison and headgear featuring intricate Celtic-style knotwork. The elephant stands upon a rectangular metal base decorated with a continuous incised Greek key border. The metal surface has a matte, slightly textured finish characteristic of aluminum or pewter casting. The base of the metal casting features an incised and blackened four-line inscription: AVE. REX ELEPANTOS MOVENS / LT. HARTLE E. JOHNSON / SRF SUBIC BAY, R. P. / 28 SEPTEMBER 1971. The Latin-style top line translates to Hail, King of the Elephant Movers, indicating a presentation from the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility (SRF) at Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. The wooden backing is precisely cut to match the outline of the elephant and its base.