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{{SHORTDESC:Specialty museum in the Czech Republic housing the world's largest elephant-related collection}}{{#seo:
|title=Elephant Museum Bochov
|title_mode=append
|keywords=Elephant Museum Bochov, Muzeum slonů Bochov, world largest elephant collection, Marie Rajmanová, Jiří Rajman, Karlovy Vary museums, Dobrý den Agency record, Elephant Museum Bochov Wikipedia  
|description=Official encyclopedic profile of the Elephant Museum Bochov (Muzeum slonů), a specialty cultural museum in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic holding over 23,000 elephant exhibits.
|image=Elephant Museum Bochov.png

|image_alt=Elephant Museum Bochov Exterior
}}
{| class="infobox" style="width: 100%; max-width: 360px; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #aaa; float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger; padding: 5px 0;" |'''Elephant Museum Bochov'''
[[File:Elephant Museum Bochov.png|alt=Elephant Museum Bochov |frameless]]
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; padding-bottom: 5px;" |''Muzeum slonů''
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Type'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |Specialty cultural museum, private collection
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Location'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |[[wikipedia:Bochov|Bochov]], [[wikipedia:Karlovy_Vary_Region|Karlovy Vary Region]], [[wikipedia:Czech_Republic|Czech Republic]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Established'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |June 2024
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Founder'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |Marie Rajmanová
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Curator'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |Jiří Rajman
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Collection size'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |23,349 unique exhibits
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Operating body'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |NAGUAL z. s. (Non-profit association)
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Official recognition'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |Certified by Dobrý den Agency (Pelhřimov) & World Records Community
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Website'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |[http://www.muzeum-slonu.cz/ muzeum-slonu.cz]
|}

The '''Elephant Museum Bochov''' (Czech: ''Muzeum slonů'') is a specialized cultural museum and permanent exhibition located in the historic town of [[wikipedia:Bochov|Bochov]], within the [[wikipedia:Karlovy_Vary_Region|Karlovy Vary Region]] of the [[wikipedia:Czech_Republic|Czech Republic]].. Officially inaugurated in June 2024, the institution houses the world's largest verified collection of elephant-themed items and artifacts, numbering 23,349 unique cataloged exhibits. 

The museum was established by founder Marie Rajmanová alongside curator Jiří Rajman, and operates under the management of the non-profit civic association NAGUAL z. s... Following comprehensive documentation and valuation, the collection received official world-record certifications from the national record authority Dobrý den Agency in Pelhřimov as well as global recognition through the World Records Community.i

== History and origins ==
The collection originated more than 25 years prior to the museum's institutional founding, beginning as a private personal hobby when Marie Rajmanová acquired her first elephant figurine.. Over nearly three decades, the assembly grew through steady acquisitions, personal travels, and targeted antiquarian additions, transforming from a domestic display into an extensive archival collection.

As the volume surpassed private residential capacity, the founders sought a permanent civic venue capable of adequately housing and displaying the items. The historic town of Bochov in western Bohemia was selected, providing an exhibition space tailored to support public access and museum preservation standards. Following extensive renovation and curatorial layout planning, the permanent exhibition opened to the public in June 2024.

== Collection profile and material diversity ==
The museum's holdings are notable for their material heterogeneity, chronological depth, and global provenance, encompassing 23,349 distinct items..

=== Material spectrum ===
Exhibits within the facility are fashioned from thirty-nine distinct base materials., including:
* Ceramics, porcelain, and terracotta.
* Natural and blown glass, including rare vintage [[wikipedia:Uranium_glass|uranium glass]] pieces.
* Carved hard woods, bamboo, and compressed wood.
* Cast and wrought metals, including brass, bronze, copper, and iron alloys.
* Natural stone, mineral carvings, and semi-precious gems.
* Textiles, hand embroidery, and woven tapestries.
* Modern polymers, resins, wax, and sculptural papercraft.

=== Typology and historical scope ===
The collection spans practical, ceremonial, decorative, and industrial objects:
* '''Fine and decorative arts:''' Sculptural statuettes, framed oil and watercolor paintings, commemorative porcelain plates, and architectural plaques..
* '''Horology and jewelry:''' Themed mantle clocks, pocket watches, brooches, rings, and artisanal decorative ornaments..
* '''Domestic and utilitarian objects:''' Household implements, teapots, lamps, bookends, and textile wear..
* '''Vintage toys and ephemera:''' Mechanical tin-plate figurines, carved folk toys, and historical board games..

The items originate from dozens of countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.. A notable section of the museum preserves artifacts produced in geopolitical entities that no longer exist, including historical items from [[wikipedia:Austria-Hungary|Austria-Hungary]] and the former [[wikipedia:Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovakia]], alongside works produced by renowned European manufacturing houses and independent artisans..

== Record verification and documentation ==
Prior to its official inauguration, the collection underwent an exhaustive verification procedure.. Every piece was individually registered, photographed, and categorized into an international catalog database..

The certification was officially overseen and validated by the Dobrý den Agency (Czech: ''Agentura Dobrý den'') based in [[wikipedia:Pelhřimov|Pelhřimov]], the official record repository of the Czech Republic.. The museum was formally entered into the Czech Book of Records and subsequently acknowledged by international registers, including the World Records Community, for holding the world's most extensive curated assembly of elephant-themed artifacts..

== Educational role and community engagement ==
Beyond artifact preservation, the Elephant Museum Bochov functions as a regional cultural and educational hub.. Operating under NAGUAL z. s., the facility hosts organized tours for school classes, families, and tourists traveling through the Karlovy Vary circuit, using the collection to illustrate global decorative traditions, zoological conservation concepts, and material craftsmanship..

== Related links ==
* [[wikipedia:Bochov|Bochov]]
* [[wikipedia:Pelhřimov|Pelhřimov (City of Records)]]
* [[wikipedia:Cultural_depictions_of_elephants|Cultural depictions of elephants]]
* [[wikipedia:Uranium_glass|Uranium glass]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.muzeum-slonu.cz/ Official Website – Muzeum slonů Bochov].
* [https://www.dobryden.cz/ Agentura Dobrý den Pelhřimov (Czech Records Authority)].

== References ==
* Registry Entry: Muzeum slonů Bochov, Dobrý den Agency Database of Czech and World Records (Pelhřimov)..
* World Records Community Official Verification Dossier: Largest Collection of Elephant-Related Items (Bochov, Czech Republic, June 2024)..
* Official Catalog and Archive: NAGUAL z. s., Bochov, Karlovy Vary Region..

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elephant Museum Bochov}}
[[Category:Museums in the Karlovy Vary Region]]
[[Category:Specialty museums in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2024]]
[[Category:2024 establishments in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Elephants in art]]
[[Category:Bochov]]