Page 33 - MANDARIN & MENAGERIE: THE SOWELL COLLECTION, PART II

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A PAIR OF LARGE EXPORT FAMILLE ROSE PEACH TUREENS AND
COVERS

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Each tureen in the form of a large peach growing from an applied

brown sprig which issues numerous, colorful fruiting branches,

two extending underneath each tureen and ending in small yellow

peaches that serve as feet.

8Ω in. (21 cm.) wide (4)

$15,000-25,000

PROVENANCE:

With Berwald Oriental Art, London.
The James E. Sowell Collection, Dallas, Texas.

清乾隆 外銷粉彩花卉紋桃式蓋盌一對

635
A RARE EXPORT ELEPHANT CANDLEHOLDER
CIRCA 1775

The beast has peach-colored wrinkles and wears an iron-red and gilt cloud pattern
blanket over his saddle. On his back is a puce-decorated vase to hold the candle.
9æ in. (24.7 cm.) high

$10,000-15,000

PROVENANCE:

Christie’s New York, 26 January 2006, lot 46.
The James E. Sowell Collection, Dallas, Texas.

LITERATURE:

Michael Cohen and William Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie: Chinese and Japanese
Export Ceramic Figures, Reigate, 2008, p. 193.

This model, so reminiscent of Qianlong period recumbent elephant sauce tureens, must
have led to the early 19th century iron-red elephant candleholders that are so much more
easily found. The elephant bearing a vase on its back was found in Chinese metalwork
from at least the Ming dynasty. A magnifcent gilt-bronze pair, made for the Qianlong
court, were in the collection of C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love, and sold at Christie’s New
York, 20 October 2004, lot 353. The white elephant symbolized mental strength and purity
in Buddhism, and was in fact the form the Buddha took in his last incarnation on Earth.

1775年前後 外銷太平有象燭臺

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