A CHINESE FAMILLE VERTE ‘ELEPHANT’ PLAQUE. Kangxi. Of octagonal form with pierced decoration, painted with an elephant standing in a garden among rock work, the back supporting a lotus flower which supports a flaming pearl, 12cm diameter. 清康熙 青花加彩吉象紋八方牌 The elephant is one of the ‘Seven Royal Treasures’ (qizhengbao or qizhen) where it is a symbol of sovereignty and great wealth. Due to the emblems being associated with sage kings, with whom the Chinese emperors often liked to identify themselves. They were often represented. The treasures are usually formed as altar ornaments, for example see a dark-green jade set in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005, cat no 45.