Chinese Antique Jade double elephant vase, attributed to Qing/Ming dynasty. In Buddhism the elephant is a symbol of mental strength. Height: 4.5 in. = 11.5 cm; Width: 3.5 in = 10.5 cm; Depth: 2.5 in. = 6.5 cm; Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz. = 800 g; Condition: some natural aging, no defects; Provenance: from private collection in Florida, USA; purchased in 1980s -1990's in Germany; Ming & Qing Dynasties( 1368 A.D. - 1911 A.D.): In the Ming Dynasty, the most important jade artifacts are those made by famous craftsman Lu Tzu-kang. The jade plaque made by him has become the standard design which calls Tzu-kang plaque. As a result, genuine Tzu-kang plaque is valuable even during the Ming Dynasty and goes without saying for later periods. The simple criteria to identify genuine Tzu-kang plaque are the material should be top grade white Hotien jade and low relief lines for the curving characters. In the Qing Dynasty, due to the emphasis of jade artifacts from the imperial court, especial from the Emperor Chienlung himself, jade artifacts of the Qing Dynasty become the last high peak in terms of quality and quantity of Chinese jade carving history. ELEPHANTS: The main characteristics of the elephant are his strength and steadfastness. There for it become a symbol of physical and mental strength, as well as responsibility and earthiness. In Indian mythology we hear about the flying elephants and Airavata, the white elephant who become the vehicle of Indra and appeared from the churning of the milky ocean. Therefore white elephants are considered very special and with the power to produce rain. They are identified as rain-bearing clouds, which will explain the belief in the flying elephants. In Indian society elephants were considered to bring good luck and prosperity. They were owned by the kings and used in wars. In buddhism the elephant is a symbol of mental strenght. At the beginning of one's practice the uncontrolled mind is symbolized by a gray elephant who can run wild any moment and destroy everything on his way. After practicing dharma and taming one's mind, the mind which is now brought under control is symbolized by a white elephant strong and powerful, who can be directed wherever one wishes and destroy all the obstacles on his way. Buddha Shakyamuni was born as elephant in some of his previous incarnations. Also in his last incarnation as Siddhartha Gautama he songs: descended from the Tushita pure land and entered his mother's womb in the form of a white elephant. In Buddhist iconography we find the elephant-faced deity Gangpati or Ganesh as an emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Also in another aspect, representing the worldly aspect of the same evergy he is trampled upon by same other deities such as Mahakala, Vajra Bhairava and others. In the mandala offering ritual one offers to the Buddha the Precious Elephant, with the strength of one thousand elephants and who can circumdbulate the whole universe three times in one day. Also the elephant tusks are one of the Seven Royal Emblems. The elephant is the vehicle of the Tathagata Aksobhya and the deity Balabadra. The elephant also appears as a guardian of the temples and of Buddha himself. References: 1) http://www.exoticjades.com/?page_id=2980 2) http://www.palaceantique.com/Browse.aspx?id=614 3) http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-BH/bh117490.htm
Condition some natural aging, no defects
Low Estimate: 5000
High Estimate: 12000
Original: Yes