1960s Mid-Century Sancai Glaze Ceramic Elephant Pedestal Trio - Shelf Scale

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A distinctive set of three vintage Chinese export ceramic elephant pedestals featuring a traditional Sancai-style (three-color) lead glaze. Each piece … Read more A distinctive set of three vintage Chinese export ceramic elephant pedestals featuring a traditional Sancai-style (three-color) lead glaze. Each piece is rendered in a deep emerald green with cerulean blue and cream accents, showcasing a thick, "fat" glaze application that pools beautifully in the architectural details.
The elephants are depicted with upraised trunks—a traditional symbol of good fortune—and support a square plinth decorated with the "Shou" character, representing longevity. The bases are finished with a classic Greek key (meander) border.
This is a coordinated set of three, though it is important to note a slight tonal variation in the glaze of one piece. Two elephants feature a saturated, deep forest-green ground, while the third presents a lighter, more mossy-green translucent glaze. This "kiln variation" is typical of mid-century Sancai-style production and confirms the hand-decorated nature of the set, offering a subtle visual rhythm when displayed together. See less