Page 189 - Sotheby's Speelman Collection Oct. 3, 2018

Ceramic models of elephants carrying receptacles on their
back were already made in China prior to the Tang dynasty
and were used as tomb figures to enhance the quality of
after-life of their owner. Porcelain figures of elephants with
vases on their backs and made for more decorative purposes
first appeared in yingqing ware during the Yuan dynasty
(1279-1368), such as the one sold in our New York rooms,
4th December 1984, lot 265. Those attributed to the Kangxi
period (1662-1722) are the first ones specially made for
export to Europe, such as the model included in the exhibition
Ausstellung Chinesischer Kunst, Berlin, 1929, cat.no. 947 and
sold in our London rooms, 25th March 1974, lot 12.
Luxurious cloisonne enamel models of elephants emerged in
the early Qing dynasty. A pair of identical cloisonne enamel
and gilt-bronze elephants with Qianlong reign marks was
sold in our London rooms, 1st July 1969, lot 31. Compare also
another pair of unmarked elephants sold in these rooms, 8th
October 2010, lot 2618.