A PAIR OF `FAMILLE-ROSE' MODELS OF ELEPHANTS QING DYNASTY, JIAQING PERIOD

The present pair of elephant figures are remarkable for their well preserved condition and for their naturalistic modelling. A related pair of famille rose elephants, in the Peabody Museum of Salem, is illustrated in William R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection. Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures, Salem, 1991, pl. 94. The Copeland elephants each carry a vase upon their backs and their saddlecloths are enamelled to imitate embroidered silk. See also two elephants, one carrying a ceramic vase and the other mounted with a cloisonne enamel vase instead, included in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, pp. 286-287; and another pair, from the Mottahedeh collection, published in David Howard and John Ayers, China for the West, vol. II, London, 1978, pl. 638, and formerly on loan at the Virginia Museum (1981-82).  A related pair of elephants was sold in these rooms, 3rd July 1973, lot 257, mounted in ormolu; and another pair at Christies New York, 24th January 2005, lot 87.