A RARE `FAMILLE-ROSE' PORCELAIN MODEL OF AN ELEPHANT QING DYNASTY, LATE QIANLONG/JIAQING PERIOD

modelled standing supporting a finely painted yellow-ground archaistic gu-vase on his back, on a colourful iron-red and gilt saddle blanket, depicting five-clawed dragons within a flowered green and black pencilled border fringed at the bottom with blue, yellow, green and red tassles, fastened with gilt-edged striped harness simulating cloisonné

Christie's London, 31st October 1977, lot 85.

The pair to this unusual and rare model of an elephant was sold in our New York rooms, 25th January 1989, lot 218.

The elephant in China is a symbol of peace, and the combination of an elephant (xiang) and a vase (ping), which can be usually found on the elephants back, is a reference to 'peaceful times (taiping youxiang)'. According to Teresa Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 238, the elephant and vase motif is based on the saying 'When there is peace, there are signs (xiang)' as a pun for peace (taiping). She further notes ibid., p. 237, that 'during the Qing dynasty, real elephants carrying vases on their backs appeared in processions celebrating the emperor's birthday. In New Year prints, an elephant and a pot of evergreen represent spring and a time of renewal'. The elephant is also one of the auspicious symbols of Buddhism - an attribute of royalty, associated with the bodhisattva Puxian, Bodhisattva of Universal Benevolence, the personification of Perfect Activity and Happiness, who is often shown seated on a white elephant.