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Lot Essay
Figures of elephants made from various media were found in halls and throne rooms throughout the Imperial palaces and the homes of the wealthy elite. They are associated with strength, wisdom and long-life and are also significant animals within the Buddhist religion. A prominent member of the Buddhist pantheon, Samantabhadra (Puxian), is frequently shown seated on an elephant. They are considered guardians of honour and were symbols of peace and good harvests. The imagery of an elephant supporting a vase on its back forms the auspicious rebus, Taiping Youxiang, conveying the message of peace and harmony in the world.
A close pair of elephants dated to the 18th-19th century, bearing flanged gu vases, was sold at Christie's New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1563. Another pair dated to the 18-19th century was sold at Christie's London, 3 November 2020, lot 177. A pair of slightly smaller caparisoned elephants belonging to the Edward T. Chow Collection, bearing unflanged gu vases dating to the 19th century, were sold in Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 May 1981, lot 598. Another pair, dated to the Qianlong reign, of very close size was sold at Christie's London, 9 May 2017, lot 95.
Compare with an elephant in the Palace Museum, Beijing, attributed to the Qianlong period like the current lot, decorated in the same palette save for the saddle is illustrated in Yinliuzhai shuoci yizhu (Commentary on Porcelain from the Studio of Drinking Streams), Beijing, 2005, p. 450, fig. 9-43. A pair of closely related elephants can be found in the Copeland Collection, in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, is illustrated in W. Sargent, The Copeland Collection - Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures, Milan, 1991, pp. 196-97, no. 94.
A close pair of elephants dated to the 18th-19th century, bearing flanged gu vases, was sold at Christie's New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1563. Another pair dated to the 18-19th century was sold at Christie's London, 3 November 2020, lot 177. A pair of slightly smaller caparisoned elephants belonging to the Edward T. Chow Collection, bearing unflanged gu vases dating to the 19th century, were sold in Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 May 1981, lot 598. Another pair, dated to the Qianlong reign, of very close size was sold at Christie's London, 9 May 2017, lot 95.
Compare with an elephant in the Palace Museum, Beijing, attributed to the Qianlong period like the current lot, decorated in the same palette save for the saddle is illustrated in Yinliuzhai shuoci yizhu (Commentary on Porcelain from the Studio of Drinking Streams), Beijing, 2005, p. 450, fig. 9-43. A pair of closely related elephants can be found in the Copeland Collection, in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, is illustrated in W. Sargent, The Copeland Collection - Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures, Milan, 1991, pp. 196-97, no. 94.