ALTAR ORNAMENT is one of a collection of cloisenne enamels bought by Lever in 1920 at the sale Lord Wharncliffe. This is one of a pair of Buddhist altar ornaments in the form of an exquisitely-decorated elephant. The vase on its back holds the three sacred Buddhist jewels - the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha ( the Buddha's teachings and the community of practising Buddhists respectively.) The vase contains leaves of jade with berries of coral.

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REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES ON MERSEYSIDE, LADY LEVER ART GALLERY, PORT SUNLIGHT.
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