PAIR OF VASES WITH SIDE TABLES. BRONZE, WOOD, ETC. JAPAN, MEIJI PERIOD; LATE 19TH CENTURY.

Pair of vases with elephant-headed bases. Bronze, wood, etc. Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan; Anglo-Indian school, towards the end of the 19th century. Pair of patinated bronze vases made up of several pieces, raised on three curved legs and decorated on the outside with reliefs of animals and mythological beasts, enhanced with gold details and bands of geometric motifs. They have metal containers that fit into the upper part. On both bases there are turtles with waves creating waves; on the central body, handles in the form of dragons and phoenixes on one side and dragons on the other; on the neck, more birds (herons or similar) flying among clouds. The bases are two side tables made of ebonized wood with elephants (heads decorated to resemble textile ornaments, with light-colored tusks) functioning as legs by curving the trunk outwards, an openwork chamfer, an openwork waist to secure the furniture and a top decorated with carvings and flat boards. These types of vases were one of the so-called "export" items, having been manufactured with the sole purpose of being sold to foreigners in the Meiji Era (1868-1912) of Japan, named after the reigning Emperor and in which the country began its modernization and westernization, establishing itself as a world power thanks to a certain openness to foreigners (presence and ideas), changes in the government, etc. Dragons are the most powerful symbol of all the animals in Japanese art, considered to be divinities related to water, and to which, for example, the change of seasons was attributed (when they flew through the sky it was spring). The crane and the turtle symbolize longevity, with the first animal in flight (in the upper area) associated with the sky and the second with the lower area (of a kimono, for example) linked to the earth. As for the elephant-headed side tables, it should be noted that they were highly prized pieces of furniture by the British during part of the colonial period in India (1858-1947), with numerous examples imported to the United Kingdom, including those found in Buckingham Palace and other noble residences. Note the quality of the present pair, which can be clearly seen in the animal carvings and plant motifs that complete the table. In Hindu iconography, the elephant is associated with wisdom, divine knowledge and royal power.

· Size: 60x60x165 cms.