Japanese bronze elephant figure, artist signature on belly. bronze castings elephants. The two characters on the foot of it appear to be "??", which might be pronounced "Takarashima", among other Japanesetranscription possibilities. The same two in Chinese Mandarin would be "Baozhou". Meaning in both languages is "Treasure Island". Elephant models in bronze were popular in the late Victorian period, and they were produced forexport in large numbers by various Japanese sculptors and foundries. H:6.75in(17.1cm) W:11in(27.9cm)