Antique paired sculptures "War Elephants" in cloisonne technique, cloisonné enamel. China, XX century

The elephant is an amazing animal, striking in its size, friendliness, and at the same time, it is far from the safest representative of the animal world. War elephants were an "elite unit" in Ancient Asia. They were used against horses, which were very afraid of the formidable appearance of huge animals, decorated with a battle blanket, metal ringing decorations. On the backs of elephants there was often a "crew" - a mahout, where the soldiers sat. The streckles defended their elephant, securing it from different sides, preventing the infantry from climbing to the belly, and at the same time being able to fire at the enemy from a vantage point. The art of elephant training was highly valued; it was taught to Indian princes and nobles.

The cloisonne technique is an amazingly beautiful work that requires skill, concentration, dexterity and a sense of aesthetics from the master. A pattern outline is created from copper, which is then filled with enamel and fired.