A RARE PAIR OF LARGE FAMILLE ROSE SEPIA-BODIED 'STANDING ELEPHANT' CANDLESTICKS Qianlong period, circa 1770 Heavily potted standing looking to the left and right, their hides impressed with symmetrical horizontal grooves to simulate wrinkles and enhanced naturalistically in sepia tones, the backs each covered in an elaborate saddlecloth supporting a gu-shaped vase enriched with green vertical blade lappets. 9 5/8in (24.3cm) high; 8 3/4in (22.2cm) wide (2). Footnotes: 乾隆時期 約1770年 粉彩棕彩描金《太平有象》大件燭臺一對 The white elephant is a symbol of mental strength and purity and Buddhism, an image further enhanced by carrying a light on its back. In the Qing dynasty real elephants with vases on their backs were included in processions to celebrate the emperor's birthday. In the late Neolithic period, some 4000 years ago, elephants roamed widely across what is now the massive area of mainland China, but by approximately 1200 BCE they had disappeared from north of China's great historical and horizontal geographical divide, the Yangtse river. One thousand years later, during the Han period, they became prominent and valuable as fighting animals carrying fortified turrets on their backs. But above all, it was their traditional association with the historical Buddha, originating during the early years after he grew up in China and widely recorded in the early sutras and Buddhist paintings, which gave elephants a mystical significance to Chinese Buddhist followers.