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A Pale Celadon Hetian Jade Carving of an Elephant with Boy
About the Item
The figure of a young boy on top of a giant elephant has been carved with pale celadon jade. Its head and tail are turned to one side. Its trunk passes through the tusks and extends up to touch its ear.
The bald, laughing boy lays on top of the elephant on his stomach. In his hands, he holds a lingzhi branch and dangles it down over the elephant.
《汉书·王莽传》：“天下太平，五谷成熟”。太平有象即天下太平。太平有象是中国传统吉祥纹样。The Han Dynasty biography of Wang Mang introduced the phrase, "The world is at peace and the grain is ripe." (太平有象 taiping you xiang)
The elephant, which in Chinese is pronounced xiang, shares the same sound as the final word of this phrase. Therefore, the elephant is a traditional Chinese symbol of taiping (peace and harmony in the world).
This carving was likely made during the Republic Period (1912-1948).
“Exotic animal species arriving as tributes from foreign countries—especially dogs, horses, and elephants—greatly interested the imperial court. In imperial paintings, the tribute elephant is always depicted in three-quarter profile, with head and tail turned to the side. An artistic predilection for the message “peace”, symbolized by the elephant, and “prosperity”, symbolized by the children, is found in all Qing art forms from the 1700s on. Boys washing elephants, playing with them, or conducting a ceremony with them were all crafted in jade, as seen in published pieces from the Palace Museum, Beijing.”
—Later Chinese Jades: Ming Dynasty to Early Twentieth Century, p. 89, from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
See a similar boy and elephant jade carving at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco in the final picture below.
Dimensions & Weight
2 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches
5.7 x 3.7 x 4.4 cm
113.6 grams
Provenance — from a La Jolla antique store, 2016
Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to the condition and must understand that any statement made by Luxury Jewelry & Jade Art is merely a subjective opinion.
- Creator:
- Weight:113.6 g
- Dimensions:Width: 1.74 in (44 mm)Depth: 1.46 in (37 mm)Length: 2.25 in (57 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Republic
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4097222925652
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