Mid 20th Century Large Chinese Cobalt Blue Ceramic Elephant Garden Seat With Shou and Bat Motifs

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Description

A large standing elephant garden seat and plant stand in Chinese export pottery, mid-20th century (most likely circa 1950-1975), with … Read more A large standing elephant garden seat and plant stand in Chinese export pottery, mid-20th century (most likely circa 1950-1975), with the trunk raised. Press-moulded and hand-glazed stoneware in a thick, glossy cobalt blue glaze, with buff crackle-glazed reserves, an olive-celadon crackle seat top and iron-red enamel details.

The saddle-cloth and plinth carry the fu-shou 'blessings and longevity' motif: a shou roundel with four bats on the seat top, archaic shou characters and blue ruyi-cloud scrollwork. Unmarked, with no maker's stamp, seal or label. Not a 19th-century piece.

Approx. 16 in L x 9.5 in D x 22 in H; seat platform approx. 7.5 x 7.5 in. Works as a garden seat, plant pedestal, entry-hall stand or side table base.

Condition: good, with honest wear. No breaks, cracks or restoration visible, and the cobalt glaze is glossy and intact. There is a small glaze chip at the base of one tusk, scattered nibbles along the lower plinth edge and light rubbing to the raised bands. The crackle on the buff and olive reserves is as fired, not damage. The unglazed base is soiled with orange-red clay flashing. See less