A PAIR OF GILT-LACQUERED ELEPHANTS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each gilded beast standing with his head turned to one side and its trunk upturned, wearing a studded harness bejewelled with rubies, carrying on its back a bamboo veneer saddle blanket carved with bats flying above crashing waves and rock, supporting a zitan base bearing a removable jade gu vase, all raised on a hongmu waisted pedestal enclosed within an eight-sided balustraded fence with bamboo veneer panels and bone finials on the corner posts

Private collection formed in the 1950s.

One of the elephants has 1 section of the jade vase missing and restuck to the removable wooden post. The rim of the jade vessel has chips. There is loss to the bamboo veneer on the saddle blanket and along the fringes of the blanket on the backside. Three of the panels on the 'fence' has missing sections of the bamboo veneer. The second elephant is missing one of its tusks. Two of the jewels on the harness is missing. Two of the sections of the fence is missing, as well as two posts. There are minor chips and losses to the bamboo veneer on the saddle blanket. Two of the panels on the fence is missing the bamboo veneer.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The elephant in China is one of the seven Buddhist Sacred Treasures and symbolises peace.  The combination of an elephant (xiang) and a vase (ping), which can often be found on the elephant's back, is a reference to 'peaceful times (taiping youxiang).'