JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)

Details

A PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL ELEPHANTS
JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)
Each modelled standing with the head turned to one side, caparisoned, carrying a double-gourd vase on a saddle decorated with lotus scrolls, the vases originally with handles
12 ¼ in. (31 cm.) high

Provenance

With Partridge Fine Art, London.

Literature

Partridge Fine Arts Plc., Furniture, Silver and Works of Art, 2004, pp. 104-105.

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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'.
Compare the present lot to a pair of elephants carrying baluster vases rather than double gourds formerly in the collection of Esmond Harmsworth, 2nd Viscount Rothermere (1898-1978), Daylesford House, Gloucestershire, sold at Christie's London, 13 June 2018, lot 70 (£50,000 including premium).

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