Elephant With Incense Burner

Animal Figure with attachments

Ceramic elephant as a carrier figure. Completely in turquoise with beige unglazed paws. The burner is constructed together with an elephant-figure. More-roller-shaped cylindrical body with straight shaped feet, head with eyes, round ears, trunk and an forehead attachment. Nubs on the front and back of the body and on the forehead. Short tail. The round carrier plate on the back is perforated and wears an additional incense burner.

Object ID
Persia_019

Age
?

Material
Ceramics

Color
turquoise

Length
25 cm

Width
10 cm

Shoulder diameter (attachment)
11.5 cm

Height
30.5 cm

Condition
good

Description

There are a lot of legends about the elephant since the third century BC.  Also this ceramic elephant is considered as a mount that carries a valuable: probably an incense burner. The elephant is formed as carrier figure: a more-roller-shaped cylindrical body with straight shaped feet, a downwards tilted head with eyes, round ears, trunk and a forehead attachment. Nubs are on the front and back of the body and on the forehead. [1]
The tail is short. The round carrier plate set up to the back is perforated and wears an additional bulbous incense burner. The incense can be placed inside. The opening and the piercings of the round carrier allow the aroma to escape.
Its color is completely turquoise except the beige unglazed paws. This color means harmony by the compensation between body and soul. In the Chinese tradition the elephant is a symbol for wisdom, strength and gratitude. Riding an elephant means happiness. [2] (HV) 

________________________

[1] Willetts, William (1968): Das Buch der chinesischen Kunst. Von der Jungsteinzeit bis heute. Econ Verlag Düsseldorf/ Wien. 334
[2] Eberhard, Wolfram (1983): Lexikon chinesischer Symbole. Geheime Sinnbilder in Kunst und Literatur, Leben und Denken der Chinesen. Eugen Diederichs Verlag. Köln. 72-73

Are you interested in this object?

Contact us