Vase

The upwardly splaying, prismatic vase of rounded edges and shoulders stands on a square-shaped plinth. It has a square neck and a splaying top rim the handle is shaped of two moulded elephant heads, protruding from the shoulders of the vase, with their trunks hanging down. The surface is painted in polychrome colours against a light base at the top and bottom a geometrical, golden frieze runs along. The borders of the vase are turquoise, with white half flowers, against the ultramarine base. The sides are painted with stylised, polychrome flowers against a white base. According to the signed and dated (Z T 1882) coloured designs in the JPM Zsolnay archives (Inv.No. 61.452.1 and 2), the elephant head appeared originally only on one side. Façon number 786, Decor number 789, in Teréz Zsolnay's notebook (Inv.No. 1578-91- 1584), the drawing No. 786 (1882 VI) describes the form also with decor No. 895 (designed by Júlia Zsolnay, 1882 16/111 JPM A 61.453.12). The vase presents the typically European coupling of various Chinese models in a bizarre and happy effect.