Page 106 - Wolly & Wallace, July 1, 2020 Chinese Works of Art UK

112
A PAIR OF LARGE AND IMPOSING CHINESE LAPIS LAZULI MODELS OF
ELEPHANTS
QING DYNASTY
Each elephant stands four-square with its large tusks highlighted in gilt, they support gilt-metal
saddle blankets and zun-shaped vases inlaid with colourful stones upon their backs, the vessels
contain many bronze branches of lingzhi from which bunches of hardstone fruits hang, each
item surmounted by five later European sconces, all raised on elaborate gilt-bronze rectangular
pedestals decorated with lotus scrolls in coral, turquoise and other jewels, overall height 57cm
and 55cm. (2)
£20,000-30,000
Provenance: Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009), the Trustees of
Exbury House.
Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Treasures of Imperial Court,
p.32, no.25 for a comparable pair of metal-mounted lapis lazuli elephants carrying vases; see also
Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Enamels, 4, Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911), p.55, no.25 for a related champlevé jardinière with lotus decoration similar to the base.
The image of an elephant carrying a vase represents the rebus taiping youxiang which carries the
sentiment of wishing for peaceful times. An elephant with a vase is a visual embodiment of this
expression, as the Chinese words for vase (ping) and elephant (xiang) are homophonous with two
words in the saying. Due to their association with this phrase, during the Qing dynasty live elephants
carrying vases on their backs were featured in processions celebrating the emperor’s birthday. Their
presence at these ceremonies was hoped to ensure long-lasting national peace and security under the
reign of the ruling emperor. The elephant itself is also symbolic of peace and stability because it is a
heavy animal which stands firmly with its four feet flat on the floor.
清 銅鎏金嵌百寶裝飾天青石雕太平有象擺件 一對
來源：Lionel de Rothschild（1882-1942）舊藏，Edmund de Rothschild（1916-2009），英
國漢普郡艾斯博瑞莊園。

104 See paragraphs 4 & 5 of our conditions of business at the back of the catalogue for additional charges on the final hammer prices