Lot 2618. A pair of cloisonné and gilt-bronze caparisoned elephants, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 24.7 cm., 9 3/4 in. Estimate 2,500,000 — 3,500,000 HKD. Lot Sold 3,140,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's 2010.

each finely cast in the form of an elephant carrying on its back a cloisonné vase with animal-mask ring handles, the gilded beast with crescent eyes and long tusks, standing with its head turned to one side, its body harnessed with decorative trappings set with semi-precious materials, draped with a cloisonné tasselled caparison adorned with bats flying amongst swirling clouds, above rocks and cresting waves.