This unique vintage ceramic elephant statue has a charming history. For over fifty years, it was a treasured piece in one family, acquired during a U.S. Army officer's overseas duty stations. It appears to be a Mid-Century example of Chinese censer or planter art, likely inspired by much older jingle-bell standard forms or temple lions, but produced as decorative export ware, possibly from Taiwan or Hong Kong in the 1960s or 1970s. The material is glazed ceramic.

The statue features a vibrant green-glazed elephant with its trunk lowered, standing on a rectangular plinth base decorated with a classic yellow Greek key pattern. On its back, it carries an ornate, saddle-like structure with a textured, unglazed panel that reveals a hidden, molded Chinese character, probably meaning 'double-happiness' or 'longevity,' framed by stylized golden-yellow clouds and turquoise patterns. Below this, a decorative cloth and faux purple 'jingles' adorn the sides. The square container form on top is open, suggesting it was intended as a small planter, vase, or censer. The green glaze is rich, and the overall color palette of gold, turquoise, purple, and green is very period-specific. The bottom features a textured felt or velvet pad for furniture protection.

Condition: The elephant is in generally good vintage condition and retains all its colorful features. There is a hairline crack with a small associated chip and paint loss on the lower front corner of the yellow Greek key border. Please refer to the detailed close-up photographs to examine this area of wear. Other than this, it shows typical light signs of age and wear. No other major chips or cracks are evident.

Measurements: The statue stands approximately 7.25 inches wide, 7 inches tall, and has a depth of about 3.5 inches. It is a substantial and striking piece of vintage Asian-inspired decor.

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