Beige nephrite "chicken bone" snuffbox in the shape of an elephant, China, 1750-1850 Flattened rectangular shape. The caparisoned animal is depicted in profile, its flanks forming the two main sides, while its head with trunk facing left and rump adorn the short sides of the bottle. It carries a saddle on its back, resting on a mat decorated with lingzhi heads and bangs falling down its flanks. The neck of the bottle features a flared vase resting on the saddle. Well hollowed out, it rests on an oval foot. Green jadeite stopper. Height: 6 cm Provenance : Robert Hall, France, March 16, 1988. The association of a ping vase - 瓶, a play on words with peace ping - 平, and an elephant xiang - 象, homophone of the word meaning sign or omen, forms a rebus for the expression taiping youxiang - 太平有象, meaning: "Where peace reigns, there is a sign (or elephant)". The elephant is the embodiment of strength, wisdom and intelligence, and the vase represents eternal harmony.