|
Subject:Re: Chinese Elephant
Posted By: Bill H Sun, Nov 10, 2019
From where I sit, I can see evidence of the repetitive forms that come with transfer decoration, plus a lack of coherence in the iconography. Traditional Chinese art, which largely was the rule until 1949, not only was balanced in form but also in substance. Your elephant is decorated in a cut-and-paste pastiche of symbols, none of which add up to a coherent theme. Lotus leaves here, cash coins there, a sprig or two of vine in an arabesque yonder and then, out of the blue, the Buddhist Endless Knot, which in the old days would have been found mainly amidst the Eight Treasures of Buddhism in a reverential and cohesive motif.
But no need to can your elephant, nor feel remorse unless you paid more for it than the price of a well decorated one seen at the link below. Actually, I've seen a pair of the same carefully caparisoned critters for less, but I think I'll keep it a secret until I decide who deserves white elephants on my Christmas list! :)
Best regards,
Bill H.
URL Title :Elephant Candle Holders
|