A CHINESE SOAPSTONE CARVING OF AN ELEPHANT

A CHINESE SOAPSTONE CARVING OF AN ELEPHANT

LATE QING DYNASTY

Standing four-square with its trunk outstretched towards one side, wearing a saddle carpet incised with a watery landscape scene depicting a blossoming prunus tree and figures boating over gentle waves under a full moon, ornamented with beaded tassels, 18cm.

Provenance: from the collection of Lieutenant Colonel W D Francis OBE, who served in Central Asia, including in the Kurram Militia, during the early 20th century. He was awarded an OBE in 1946.