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Lot Essay
The elephant embodies strength, wisdom and intelligence and is held in high esteem in Buddhist beliefs. It is unusual to find an elephant group such as this with attendant boys in procession. Cloisonné and champlevé elephants are more commonly depicted in Chinese art supporting a vase on its back forming the rebus for 'universal peace', taiping you xiang. An 18th century gilt-bronze, champlevé and cloisonné enamel elephant-form candlestick sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 4 April 2017, lot 198.
Compare the cloisonné enamel boys to the small cloisonné enamel boy riding a hobby horse, late 17th century, from the collection of Mr and Mrs R.H.Palmer, illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London, 1962, plate 76. In this book, Garner writes that it is not common to find human figures in cloisonné with the earliest examples, such as this boy, dating to the 17th century.
Compare the cloisonné enamel boys to the small cloisonné enamel boy riding a hobby horse, late 17th century, from the collection of Mr and Mrs R.H.Palmer, illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London, 1962, plate 76. In this book, Garner writes that it is not common to find human figures in cloisonné with the earliest examples, such as this boy, dating to the 17th century.