Chinese Cloisonne Elephant with Enamelled Vase

A Chinese gilt bronze and cloisonne enamel figure of an…
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A Chinese gilt bronze and cloisonne enamel figure of an elephant, on a turquoise background, the elephant stands erect on four legs, on a double detachable based tray, upon his saddle, rests a detachable gourd-shaped enamelled vase, with scroll handles, 58 cm high, 40 cm wide. Catalogue note: the elephant in China is a symbol of peace, and the combination of an elephant xiang and vase ping refers to 'Peaceful times' taiping youxiang. During the Qing Dynasty real elephants carrying vases on their backs appeared in processions celebrating the Emperor's birthday. The elephant is also one of the auspicious symbols of Buddhism, representing royalty.

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  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

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