A FINE WHITE JADE RUSSET ELEPHANT AND BOYS GROUP, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

Carved as an elephant standing on all fours with its head turned towards its right, the ears are foliate and almost lotus leaf-like in appearance. The elephant is covered wearing a tasselled saddle rug depicting a bat amidst scrolling clouds and waves. On top of the elephant two boys are shown holding a treasure vase (baoping), in their other hand one holds on to a ruyi sceptre and the other a lotus blossom.

Provenance: From a distinguished family.

Note di catalogo: For a related white jade elephant group carving see the example in the Palace Museum in Beijing from the Qing Court Collection illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 2008, pag. 178, pl. 137. See also the example in the same book again from the Qing Court Collection, pag. 179, pl. 138.

Elephants (xiang) were a popular motif in the Qing court for their auspicious associations with peace, prosperity and good fortune. The motif of children carrying a pot on the back of an elephant evokes the rebus tai ping jing xiang ('peace on earth' or 'peace and prosperous future').

See the piece sold by Sotheby’s, sale number HK0517, Fine Chinese Ceramics And Works Of Art, Hong Kong, 8 April 2014, lot. 3064.