Set 5 | 41 : Bronze Elephant

Bronze Elephant, Forbidden City

Bronze elephant in the gardens of the Forbidden City, Beijing

Elephants symbolise a steadfast and peace loving government. Bronze casting is an ancient art in China going back to the Shang dynasty (1600BC to 1100BC). The elephant was made during the last Qing dynasty (1644-1911) but the Forbidden City itself dates back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) when Emperor Yongle moved into the Palace.