AN UNUSUAL IMPERIAL-YELLOW GLASS ELEPHANT-FORM SNUFF BOTTLE ATTRIBUTED TO THE IMPERIAL GLASSWORKS, BEIJING, 1760-1830

Well-carved in the form of an elephant supporting a vase on its back, the vase emerging from a diagonal border of formalized lingzhi-heads which, in turn, is set on an elongated, tassled textile decorated with a floral diaper pattern, the feet of the beast forming the foot of the bottle, stopper. 3¼ in. (8.3 cm.) high  - Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000  ($7,908 - $11,862)

Provenance:  The J & J Collection, Christie's Hong Kong, 25 April 2004, lot 805

Notes:  Compare the bottle of this form and colour from the Bloch Collection, illustrated in Moss et. al., A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, Vol 5, Glass, no. 856, where other examples of this type are cited. The present bottle appears to be among the largest known of this type, even exceeding the rather large version in the Bloch Collection.
The auspicious Buddhist motif of an elephant carrying a vase provides the homonym for "peace and prosperity." Stone figures of elephants with vases may be found along the sacred way, which leads to the tombs of the Qing dynasty emperors.

Christie's London. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART INCLUDING EXPORT ART. 13 May 2008