A PAIR OF LARGE AND IMPOSING CHINESE LAPIS LAZULI MODELS OF ELEPHANTS QING DYNASTY Each elephant stands four-square with its large tusks highlighted in gilt, they support gilt-metal saddle blankets and zun-shaped vases inlaid with colourful stones upon their backs, the vessels contain many bronze branches of lingzhi from which bunches of hardstone fruits hang, each item surmounted by five later European sconces, all raised on elaborate gilt-bronze rectangular pedestals decorated with lotus scrolls in coral, turquoise and other jewels, overall height 57cm and 55cm. (2) Provenance: Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009), the Trustees of Exbury House. Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Treasures of Imperial Court, p.32, no.25 for a comparable pair of metal-mounted lapis lazuli elephants carrying vases; see also Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Enamels, 4, Cloisonnι in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), p.55, no.25 for a related champlevι jardiniθre with lotus decoration similar to the base. The image of an elephant carrying a vase represents the rebus taiping youxiang which carries the sentiment of wishing for peaceful times. An elephant with a vase is a visual embodiment of this expression, as the Chinese words for vase (ping) and elephant (xiang) are homophonous with two words in the saying. Due to their association with this phrase, during the Qing dynasty live elephants carrying vases on their backs were featured in processions celebrating the emperor's birthday. Their presence at these ceremonies was hoped to ensure long-lasting national peace and security under the reign of the ruling emperor. The elephant itself is also symbolic of peace and stability because it is a heavy animal which stands firmly with its four feet flat on the floor. 清 銅鎏金嵌百寶裝飾天青石雕太平有象擺件 一對 來源：Lionel de Rothschild（1882-1942）舊藏，Edmund de Rothschild（1916-2009），英國漢普郡艾斯博瑞莊園。