Thé de l'Éléphant c.1928 by Henry Le Monnier – Exotic Art Deco French Tea Advertising Poster

Thé de l’Éléphant – A Bold Art Deco Tea Poster by Henry Le Monnier

Bring the saturated color and theatrical imagination of 1920s French advertising into your décor with Thé de l’Éléphant, a striking 1928 tea poster created by illustrator Henry Le Monnier.

The composition features a smiling figure seated atop an enormous red elephant while presenting a brightly colored package of Thé de l’Éléphant. Below, a steaming teapot and cup rest on a silver tray, connecting the dramatic central imagery with the pleasure and ritual of serving tea.

The figure wears a vivid yellow-green costume with a towering feathered headdress, pointed collar, jewelry, and an elegantly fitted jacket. These brilliant tones appear almost luminous against the deep blue-black night sky.

The oversized elephant fills the center of the composition. Its red-orange head, dark ears, long tusks, and immense trunk create a bold and unforgettable advertising mascot. A decorative panel bearing the period phrase “Force et Santé” rests across its forehead.

Wisps of steam rise from the teapot and curl through the dark background in long silver lines. This flowing movement leads the viewer’s eye from the tea service toward the package held above, connecting the prepared drink with the advertised brand.

Small stars and silhouetted palm leaves establish a fantastical nighttime setting. Rather than representing a specific location, the scene uses exoticized imagery typical of European advertising from the period to associate imported tea with distant lands, adventure, and mystery.

The package itself appears in strong red, white, and dark-green tones and is held prominently near the center of the poster. Le Monnier ensures that the product remains clearly identifiable even within the elaborate theatrical scene.

Across the bottom, “Thé de l’Éléphant” is printed in enormous yellow block letters. Their geometric shape and strong contrast with the dark background reflect the simplified visual language of Art Deco commercial design.

Deep navy, black, brilliant yellow, acid green, orange-red, white, and metallic gray create a dramatic palette that feels both luxurious and energetic. The strong contrasts make this reproduction exceptionally effective as a focal point.

Perfect for kitchens, breakfast nooks, dining rooms, tea rooms, cafés, restaurants, pantries, home bars, and eclectic Art Deco interiors, this poster makes an uncommon gift for tea enthusiasts, café owners, Francophiles, and vintage-advertising collectors.

Why Collectors Love This Print

• Created by French illustrator Henry Le Monnier
• Originally published in 1928
• Advertises the historic Thé de l’Éléphant tea brand
• Features an enormous red elephant mascot
• Includes a vintage tea package, teapot, cup, and tray
• Uses a dramatic nighttime setting
• Displays brilliant yellow, green, orange, and navy colors
• Features bold geometric Art Deco typography
• Combines product advertising with fantasy imagery
• Offers exceptional visual impact from across a room
• Complements kitchens, tea rooms, and cafés
• Appeals to collectors of tea and culinary advertising
• Pairs beautifully with other Art Deco beverage posters
• Makes a distinctive gift for tea enthusiasts
• Reproduces a memorable example of 1920s French design

Available Print & Display Options

• Fine Art Prints
• Framed Fine Art Prints
• Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
• Black Floater Frame Canvas
• White Floater Frame Canvas
• Brown Floater Frame Canvas
• Natural Floater Frame Canvas
• Metal Prints

Choose the display format that best complements your interior, from a traditional fine-art print to a ready-to-hang framed, canvas, floater-frame, or metal presentation.

Artwork Details

• Title: Thé de l’Éléphant
• Artist: Henry Le Monnier
• Date: 1928
• Country of origin: France
• Historic brand: Thé de l’Éléphant
• Advertised product: Packaged tea
• Purpose: Commercial food and beverage advertising
• Primary subject: Costumed figure seated atop a red elephant
• Secondary imagery: Tea package, teapot, cup, serving tray, steam, stars, and palms
• Style: Art Deco, fantasy advertising, vintage commercial illustration
• Dominant colors: Navy blue, black, yellow, green, orange-red, white, and gray
• Mood: Theatrical, exoticized, adventurous, colorful, and luxurious
• Recommended spaces: Kitchens, dining rooms, breakfast nooks, tea rooms, cafés, restaurants, pantries, and hospitality interiors

Disclaimer

This artwork is a Museum Grade Reproduction of a Historical advertising poster.

This is a decorative reproduction and not the original 1928 poster. Minor differences in color, texture, contrast, or cropping may occur among available sizes and display formats.

Yesterday’s Posters is an independent seller and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Thé de l’Éléphant, Henry Le Monnier’s estate, or any related rights holder.

This poster contains stylized cultural imagery reflecting the conventions and attitudes of historic European advertising. It is reproduced for its artistic, decorative, and historical significance and does not endorse cultural stereotyping.