A PAIR OF ENAMEL AND GILT-BRONZE FIGURES OF ELEPHANTS AND STANDS

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A PAIR OF ENAMEL AND GILT-BRONZE FIGURES OF ELEPHANTS AND STANDS
JIAQING

Cast in mirror image, each standing foursquare on a waisted rectangular base, the head turned to one side with trunk upcurled, richly caparisonned with hardstone-inset latticed trappings, the saddle blanket decorated with emblems and flowers draped over its back supporting a blue-ground vase with gilt lotus meander containing three jade halberds suspending tassels and jade ornaments, the waisted rectangular pedestals with canted corners and an openwork fence decorated with turquoise ground-panels of bats and shou characters between bands of lotus petals above a pierced foliate apron and acanthus legs (some small dents and restorations)--15½in. (39.5cm.) long (2)

Lot Essay

Cf. a similar example placed in the Yangxin Hall where the Emperor received his officials, illustrated in the Palace Museum publication Imperial Life in the Forbidden City, 1644-1911, 1982, p.54; compare also the example from the Palace Museum illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quangi, vol.10, The Crafts, Gold, Silver, Glass and Enamels, col.pl.357

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