JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)

Details

A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ELEPHANTS
JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)
The white elephants are modelled in mirror image, with gilt wires simulating wrinkled skin. Each elephant is caparisoned in a brightly patterned harness with a saddlecloth decorated with a bat and a musical stone, supporting a red twin-handled vase and cover decorated with lotus sprays.

7 1/8 in. (18 cm.) long

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Samantha Yuen

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Lot Essay

The elephant is the embodiment of strength, wisdom and intelligence, and the vase represents eternal harmony. The combination of the two conveys the rebus taiping youxiang, 'peaceful times' or 'when there is peace, there are signs'.

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