Elephant 1745 - 1755

This striking Whieldon-type ceramic elephant embodies the cultural fascination with exotic animals during its time. The elephant, a symbol of wisdom, strength, and memory, has traversed centuries and continents, appearing in various guises from ancient Indian mythology to Roman triumphal processions. Consider the Hindu god Ganesha, with his elephant head, representing intellect and obstacle removal. This contrasts sharply with the Roman use of elephants as symbols of imperial power and conquest. Yet, both tap into the animal’s imposing presence and perceived intelligence. The elephant in European art, often based on secondhand accounts, blends reality with imagination. This reflects a deeper psychological yearning to understand and categorize the world. The image of the elephant, thus, becomes a screen onto which cultural anxieties and aspirations are projected, constantly evolving, proving that symbols never truly disappear but resurface in new forms, laden with accumulated meanings.