A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF CLOISONNE ENAMEL GILT BRONZE ELEPHANTS

清乾隆 銅鎏金掐絲琺瑯太平有象尊一對
Each modelled standing with head turned to one side, the white body gilt wires to imitate the wrinkles, and a tasselled saddle cloth decorated with five clawed dragon leaping from crashing waves and sacred mountain amidst colorful clouds, and fastened with colourfully enamelled trappings, the back with a saddle surmounted by an archaistic gu-shaped vase flanked by a pair of gilt bronze mythical beast head handles suspended with loose rings, its body decorated with scrolling lotus sprays, all in various bright tones of white, yellow, blue, red and green on a rich turquoise ground. Qing Dynasty Qianlong period.

Height: 14 1/2 in (36.8 cm) Width: 11 1/4 in (28.6 cm)

Provenance: Property from an important Southern California private collection.
During the 41st year of the Qianlong reign (1776), Li Shiyao, the governor of Guangdong, presented a cloisonn��el elephant to the court, which was highly appreciated by Emperor Qianlong and named "Tai Ping You Xiang" (Peaceful Elephant). It was once displayed in the Qinan Hall of the Forbidden City's Imperial Garden, dedicated to the Daoist temple of Qinan Hall where the Xuanwu Emperor was worshipped. "Tai Ping You Xiang" was also displayed in many major halls of the Forbidden City, such as the East Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where a pair of cloisonn�� en"Tai Ping You Xiang" vessels were placed in front of the throne. It can be seen that "Tai Ping You Xiang" represents the emperor's highest expectations for governing the country. According to legend, the elephant is born from a shining star, capable of illuminating auspicious signs. It is said that the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra arrives riding on an elephant, and only when there is a benevolent ruler with virtue will such a spiritual elephant appear. Compare the present piece with cloisonn�� enamel elephant in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and Christie's Hong Kong, in May 2012, lot number 3907, sold for HK$8,420,000, and Christie's New York, March 2011, lot 1614, sold for US$362,5
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