Back
A VERY FINE CHINESE GILT-BRONZE ELEPHANT AND A VASE, MING/QING DYNASTY
The finely cast gilt-bronze elephant stands foursquare on a base, richly caparisoned with a saddle cloth adorned with jewels, beaded festoons, and tasselled pendants draped across the head, neck, back, and haunches. Suspended at the chest are three pairs of bells. The elephant turns its tail to the right, curling toward the rear leg. The saddle is decorated with lotus and ruyi-cloud motifs and supports a lotus base surmounted by a vase, with a further lotus ornament rising behind. The animal raises its head in an alert posture, with the trunk curled upward and grasping a conch or horn. The present example is notable for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship, the modelling elegant and naturalistic, with finely rendered details throughout.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the elephant (often referred to as the "elephant treasure") is one of the Seven Treasures of the Wheel-Turning King, symbolising strength and power. The vase borne on its back is one of the Eight Auspicious Emblems, representing the inexhaustible teachings of the Buddha and the bestowal of blessings. The conch held in the trunk further signifies the far-reaching sound of the Dharma.
The motif of an elephant bearing a vase also conveys the rebus taiping youxiang ("Great Peace under Heaven"), as ping (vase) is a homophone of ping (peace), symbolising harmony and prosperity. Widely popular from the Ming and Qing dynasties onward, this auspicious imagery was favoured in both Buddhist and courtly contexts.
An almost identical example bearing a Yongle mark was sold at China Guardian, Beijing, 12 May 2012, lot 2562; another is in the Beijing Capital Museum, illustrated in Wisdom of Avatamsaka: Buddhist Art Treasures from the Beijing Capital Museum, p. 216.
明/清 鎏金铜太平有象尊
此件鎏金铜象立于基座之上，造型稳重端庄。通体饰以华丽鞍具，鞍垫镶嵌宝石，并垂挂璎珞与流苏，自象首、颈部延至背部及臀部。胸前悬挂三对铃铛，尾部右摆并收于后足。象背鞍面饰莲花及如意云纹，其上承托莲花座与宝瓶，后方另立莲花宝饰。象首昂扬，长鼻上卷，鼻端缠绕法螺或号角。整体铸造精良，比例匀称，姿态生动自然，细部刻画细腻入微，充分展现出高超的工艺水平。
在藏传佛教中，象宝为“七政宝”之一，象征力量与威严；象背所托宝瓶为“八吉祥”之一，寓意佛法无尽、福泽绵延；象鼻所持法螺亦象征佛法之音远播。象负宝瓶之形象又寓“太平有象”，因“瓶”与“平”谐音，象征天下太平、祥瑞安宁。此类题材自明清以来广为流行，兼具宗教与吉祥寓意。
可参见一件带永乐款的近似例，售于中国嘉德（北京），2012年5月12日，拍品2562；另有一例藏于北京首都博物馆，见《智慧华严—北京首都博物馆佛教文物珍藏展》，第216页。
33cm high
Unsold
Lot 92
The finely cast gilt-bronze elephant stands foursquare on a base, richly caparisoned with a saddle cloth adorned with jewels, beaded festoons, and tasselled pendants draped across the head, neck, back, and haunches. Suspended at the chest are three pairs of bells. The elephant turns its tail to the right, curling toward the rear leg. The saddle is decorated with lotus and ruyi-cloud motifs and supports a lotus base surmounted by a vase, with a further lotus ornament rising behind. The animal raises its head in an alert posture, with the trunk curled upward and grasping a conch or horn. The present example is notable for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship, the modelling elegant and naturalistic, with finely rendered details throughout.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the elephant (often referred to as the "elephant treasure") is one of the Seven Treasures of the Wheel-Turning King, symbolising strength and power. The vase borne on its back is one of the Eight Auspicious Emblems, representing the inexhaustible teachings of the Buddha and the bestowal of blessings. The conch held in the trunk further signifies the far-reaching sound of the Dharma.
The motif of an elephant bearing a vase also conveys the rebus taiping youxiang ("Great Peace under Heaven"), as ping (vase) is a homophone of ping (peace), symbolising harmony and prosperity. Widely popular from the Ming and Qing dynasties onward, this auspicious imagery was favoured in both Buddhist and courtly contexts.
An almost identical example bearing a Yongle mark was sold at China Guardian, Beijing, 12 May 2012, lot 2562; another is in the Beijing Capital Museum, illustrated in Wisdom of Avatamsaka: Buddhist Art Treasures from the Beijing Capital Museum, p. 216.
明/清 鎏金铜太平有象尊
此件鎏金铜象立于基座之上，造型稳重端庄。通体饰以华丽鞍具，鞍垫镶嵌宝石，并垂挂璎珞与流苏，自象首、颈部延至背部及臀部。胸前悬挂三对铃铛，尾部右摆并收于后足。象背鞍面饰莲花及如意云纹，其上承托莲花座与宝瓶，后方另立莲花宝饰。象首昂扬，长鼻上卷，鼻端缠绕法螺或号角。整体铸造精良，比例匀称，姿态生动自然，细部刻画细腻入微，充分展现出高超的工艺水平。
在藏传佛教中，象宝为“七政宝”之一，象征力量与威严；象背所托宝瓶为“八吉祥”之一，寓意佛法无尽、福泽绵延；象鼻所持法螺亦象征佛法之音远播。象负宝瓶之形象又寓“太平有象”，因“瓶”与“平”谐音，象征天下太平、祥瑞安宁。此类题材自明清以来广为流行，兼具宗教与吉祥寓意。
可参见一件带永乐款的近似例，售于中国嘉德（北京），2012年5月12日，拍品2562；另有一例藏于北京首都博物馆，见《智慧华严—北京首都博物馆佛教文物珍藏展》，第216页。
33cm high
Estimate $15,000 - $25,000
Overall in good condition, with some wear to the gilding consistent with age and use.
CLICK TO SEE DETAIL PHOTOS OF THE WHOLE AUCTION