Wanli (1573-1620), late 16th century
The kendi is modelled in the shape of an elephant with raised head, its tusks forming the spout. Its tasselled saddle cloth is painted on both sides with a ruyi head reserved on a diaper ground and is secured around the neck and partly under the tail with straps hung with beaded pendants ending with tassels..
The cylindrical neck which is used as a handle is painted with a bird perched on a blossoming branch and is encircled by a slightly raised collar of a feathery scroll. The bushy end of the tail is painted in blue.
The body and head of the animal are white with only the eyes carved and outlined in blue.
One side of the cloth has some gilt traces
Height 17 cm
Provenance: An old Dutch private collection and hence by descent.
明萬曆 青花象形軍持
時代：明萬曆(1573-1620)，16世紀晚期。
特徵：此軍持造型為一頭昂首大象，象牙構成噴嘴。器上兩側均繪有流蘇馬鞍布與如意紋。用作手柄的圓柱形頸部描繪了一隻停駐在花樹上的鳥。
尺寸：高17公分。
來源：荷蘭私人舊藏，此後家族傳承。
