Vessel with elephant-shaped lugs

Object Details

• Label

  This vessel is decorated with a pair of elephant heads. In China, elephants have several symbolic associations, including strength and astuteness. The elephant masks are carved to look connected and are seemingly held in place on the vessel by rows of knotted cords, a motif that harks back to vessels that were in fashion almost one thousand years earlier. During the Song dynasty antiquarian motifs and a taste for restrained design, both seen here, were highly popular.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Les trois reves du mandarin (October 22, 2009 to February 14, 2010)

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

  Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages (May 1 to June 22, 1975)

  Celadon, Jade: Finds, Specimen, Scientific Results (May to June 1963)

  The Arts of the Sung Dynasty (June 16 to July 23, 1960)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1300s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Song dynasty (960 - 1279), Chinese Art, Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368), Jade

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)