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In old China, elephant bone sculpture was a symbol of nobility and luck. This is one the most fantastically detailed bone carvings that I have seen in my years of collecting orientalia. It is a large late Qing dynasty (ca 1900) elephant bone carving of a lantern with an octagonal shape and it is huge. It stands 19 1/2 in. tall and is 9 in. across the base. it is profusely carved with scollwork and flowers and has lovely scrimshaw work mainly on the roof and base.
The eight panels of the base are decorated with the eight Daoist emblems. Each of the symbols is the attribute of one of the Eight Immortals - legendary figures said to have obtained immortality through the elixir of life produced by alchemy or by eating magic fruits.
It is in excellent condition. Please check out the pictures, as they accurately represent the condition. Thank you for looking and feel free to use the "contact us" button if you have any questions. Please check out our other fine Oriental items.
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