Antique sculpture "Elephant". It is made of patinated bronze. Asia, the twentieth century.

The elephant is a symbol of wisdom, stability and prosperity. In Japan, where this animal is considered exotic, realistic images of elephants in bronze sculptures appeared only in the last third of the 19th century.

Until that time, the masters copied samples of Buddhist art from India and China, and the images of elephants were of a conventional nature. In the Buddhist pantheon, the elephant acted as the mount of the deity of wisdom Fugen. The saddled and decorated salon, resembling a fantastic creature, was considered a sacred defender and propagator of the good law, capable of resisting evil and violence.

In addition, the elephant represents power, prudence and protection.