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A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL FIGURES OF CAPARISONED WHITE
ELEPHANTS
18TH CENTURY
The elephants are shown standing foursquare with heads turned
to the side, and are richly arrayed in multi-colored trappings and a
fringed blanket below a saddle that supports a gu-shaped vase.
13º in. (33.8 cm.) high (2)
$40,000-60,000
PROVENANCE:
The James E. Sowell Collection, Dallas, Texas.
A similar white cloisonné enamel elephant, also with similarly decorated
blanket, saddle and tusks, was sold at Christie’s New York, 18 September
2014 lot 635.
The elephant is the embodiment of strength, wisdom and intelligence, and
the vase represents eternal harmony. The combination of the two conveys
the rebus taiping youxiang, ‘peaceful times’ or ‘when there is peace, there
are signs’.
清十八世紀 掐絲琺瑯太平有象一對
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