Elephant
Artist
Chinese
DateQing Dynasty
Mediumamber
Dimensions5.6 × 3.2 × 7.6 cm (2 3/16 × 1 1/4 × 3 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard
Terms
Object number1938.45
Label TextElephant
Amber; Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), early 19th century
Bequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard, 1938.45
Many Chinese puns have become well-established art motifs. The Chinese words for both twin cats and twin badgers is shuang huan, words that form a homophone for doubled joy, written with different characters.
The elephant, once hunted and later used for transportation, is a Chinese emblem of strength, morality, wisdom and long life. Amber (hu po; fossilized resin of coniferous trees) received its name from, and was emblematic of courage, since it was believed to hold the spirits of dead tigers (hu po; "tiger soul"). It was found in southern China and imported from Myanmar (Burma) and Central Asia.
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