JIAQING SEAL MARK IN IRON RED AND OF THE PERIOD (1796-1820)

Elephants are associated with strength, wisdom and long-life and are also significant animals within the Buddhist religion. They are considered guardians of honor and symbols of peace and good harvests. The imagery of an elephant supporting a vase on its back forms the auspicious rebus, taiping youxiang, expressing a wish for peace and harmony in the world. The elephant on this joss-stick holder is shown surrounded by various other auspicious motifs in relief, including a gold ingot, a silver ingot, square-holed coins, a rhinoceros horn, and a branch of coral. Compare the Qianlong-marked famille rose joss-stick holder decorated with similar auspicious motifs surrounding a central figure of a kneeling foreign tribute bearer, illustrated by Geng Baochang, ed., in Zhongguo Gudai Taoci Yishu: Ming Qing Caiciy u Yanse you (Ancient Chinese Ceramic Arts: Ming Qing Enemaled Porcelains and Colored Glazes), Beijing, 2007, pp. 114-5, no. 47.