By Genryusai Seiya, signed Genryusai Seiya zoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The bodhisattva is seated on a foliate-lobed saddle pierced to the underside, forming the cover of the incense burner with its silvered inset container below, atop the separately cast mighty elephant which is richly adorned with beaded jewelry suspending tassels, rosettes inlaid with mother-of-pearl and bone, a saddlecloth with floral decoration, with a central stone to one side of the saddlecloth.The bodhisattva is seated in a relaxed pose, wearing long flowing robes opening at the chest adorned with beaded jewelry, holding a scroll in one hand, scarves billowing around him. The face with a serene expression marked by heavy-lidded eyes below gently arched eyebrows centered by a mother-of-pearl byakugo (urna), with full lips forming a subtle smile. The hair elegantly falling over the shoulders and secured by a diadem.LENGTH 41 cmWEIGHT (excluding base) 9.2 kgCondition: Very good condition with minor natural wear and casting flaws, some inlays lost or renewed, few minuscule nicks and light scratches.Provenance: From a private collection in London, United Kingdom.The elephant with a regal expression marked by the large and neatly rendered eyes, with prominent tusks and trunk as well as large ears. Its head is topped by a finial reminiscent of those found on Mandarin hats.With a European wood base of oval form with a gilt-bronze beaded border. (2)Samantabhadra (Fugen Bosatsu) is the bodhisattva associated with the practice of Buddhist teaching and joins Manjushri (Monju Bosatsu), the lord of transcendent wisdom, in a trinity with Shakyamuni Buddha. The deity is known as ‘He whose bounty is omnipresent’ and represents the Buddhist Law and compassion. The bodhisattva is borne by a white elephant, symbolic of the strength achieved through the practice of Buddhism.Auction comparison: Compare a related but larger and earlier bronze depicting Samantabhadra on his elephant, dated 17th century and sold at the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition as an “Old Bronze Okimono”, at Zacke, Fine Chinese Art, Buddhism & Hinduism, 16 October 2021, Vienna, lot 387 (sold for 13,904 EUR).