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

Pair of vases with bases with elephant heads. 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 golden details and bands of geometric motifs. They have metal containers that fit into the upper part. On both bases, turtles appear with waves creating waves; on the central body, handles in the shape of dragons and phoenixes on one side and dragons on the other; on the neck, more birds (herons or similar) flying between clouds. The bases are two auxiliary tables of ebonized wood with elephants (heads decorated resembling textile ornaments, with tusks in a light tone) functioning as legs by curving the trunk outwards, openwork chambran, also openwork waist to secure the furniture and top part decorated with carvings and flat boards. This type of vases were one of the so-called “export” items because they were 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 the that 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 deities 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 with the earth. As for the side tables with elephant heads, it should be noted that they were highly appreciated furniture by the British during part of the colonial era of India (1858-1947), with numerous examples imported to the United Kingdom, among which were highlight those present in Buckingham Palace and other noble residences. Note the quality of the couple present, which can be clearly seen in the carvings of the animals and in the plant motifs that complete the table. In Hindu iconography, the elephant is associated with wisdom, divine knowledge and royal power.

· Size: 60x60x165 cms.