A VERY LARGE ‘LOTUS AND ELEPHANTS’ FOUNTAIN, BRONZE, JAPAN 19TH CENTURY (133 CM)

Bronze

Japan, Meiji Period (1868-1912) – late 19th century

The fountain consists of three parts, massively cast in bronze with a dark, almost black patina.

Three conjoined elephants stand on a hexagonal plinth, which is decorated with finely carved dragons in reserves. The elephant’s tusks, legs and trunks all naturalistically modelled, with a good eye for the fine and important details, adding resilience to the imposing yet peaceful appearance of this stunning piece of Japanese garden architecture. The upper part of the fountain consists of a lobed, veiny lotus flower, with a capacity of at least 100 liters.

Taking into account the salient provenance of this fountain, it is most likely that it was originally brought to Austria as a key exhibition object for the Japanese garden at the Vienna World Fair from 1873. This open-air garden was the most admired and prized part of the Japanese pavilion and consisted of artificial water courses, bridges, bamboo groves, pagodas and shrines. It soon became a center of attraction at the world fair, because it was actually the first time in history that Europeans were given the opportunity to study Japanese garden architecture, with all is elementary components, such as the ever obligatory stone lanterns and lotus fountains.

Shape: Hexagonal base with three elephants in the center and a large lobed lotus leaf on top
Dimensions: 133 cm (height)
Condition: Superb, fully original and complete condition – fine patina and natural wear, some traces of use
Provenance: From an important Austrian private collection, acquired before 1930, in which several bronzes from the Vienna World Fair from 1873 have been both recorded and published

Literature: Jutta Pemsel, Die Wiener Weltausstellung von 1873, Chapter ‘Großereignis Weltausstellung’, Böhlau publishers, Vienna/Cologne 1989, page 41; Degree dissertation Anna Minichberger, University of Vienna.