A Japanese shibayama inlaid ivory elephant, Meiji period, realistically carved in the round and standing four square with head held alert and gently curled trunk, wearing an elaborately floral decorated saddle cloth blanket with pendant tassels, surmounted with a chrysanthemum shaped howdah attached with a jewelled harness with further flower pommels, chains and pendants, inset red lacquer signature plaque to one foot, height approx 24cm.