Antique War Elephant Sculpture with Riders and Soldiers, Thailand

Antique war elephant with riders and soldiers, brown glazed stoneware, SI Satchanalai, Thailand, 16th/17th century. 35 cm high, 33 cm long, 19 cm deep, (weight 5kg). The sculpture includes the mahout guiding the elephant and a warrior riding the hindquarters, while four soldiers holding swords and small shields guard the elephant's vulnerable legs. During peacetime elephants also participated in Royal processions. Housed in custom-made fibreglass case. Provenance: a private collection [deceased estate] in Di?sseldorf, Germany, originally acquired in Thailand during the 1960s/70s. Private collection, Melbourne. Note: origin and dating advised by Atthasit Sukkham, Curator S.E.Asian ceramics Museum, Bangkok University, Thailand. Supporting paperwork available.