Page 97 - Bonhams asian Art Knightsbridge May 2018

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A LARGE EMBELLISHED BRONZE INCENSE BURNER AND A LARGE GILT-BRONZE BOTTLE VASE
COVER Xuande two-character mark, Qing Dynasty
18th century Formed with six lobes, the tall thin neck cast with a sinuous dragon
Set on three elephant head feet, the body flanked with further elephant observing a flaming pearl, raised on a flaring base.
head handles, modelled with stylised raised trunks, the burner and 33.5cm (13 1/4in) high
cover cast with lotus blooms amongst densely scrolling leafy stems,
the finial modelled as a recumbent elephant supporting a stemmed £3,000 - 5,000
vessel containing Precious Objects, the elephants all with elaborate CNY27,000 - 44,000
trappings with glass insets. HK$33,000 - 55,000
42cm (16.1/2in) high. (2).

£3,000 - 4,000
CNY27,000 - 35,000
HK$33,000 - 44,000
Provenance
A French Private Collection.

The elephant (xiang) is a pun for ‘sign’; the phrase ‘taiping youxiang’
(‘when there is peace, there are signs’) is represented by an elephant
carrying (dai) a vase (ping) on its back. During the Qing Dynasty
elephants carrying vases on their backs appeared in processions
celebrating the emperor’s birthday.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. ASIAN ART - PART I | 95