The points divide the hole into two areas, a smaller one above and a larger one below, like a figure 8, with the shape of the void sometimes interpreted as resembling a human form with a head and a torso.

The work may draw inspiration from an elephant skull collected in East Africa by Sir Julian Huxley and displayed in his garden, and later given to Moore as a gift.

The plaster maquette and the bronze artist's copy, cast 0, are held by the Henry Moore Foundation in Perry Green, Hertfordshire.

These two artist's copies are now held by the Henry Moore Foundation, along with two plaster casts of this working model.

Finally, in 1969, Moore increased the scale again to create a full-size bronze version (LH 596) which is 332 centimetres (131 in) high.