Forget miserable sleet, forget trams. Feast your eyes (and ears) on this Indian Benares Silver Gilt, Enamelled and Jewel Mounted Figure of an Elephant, and the description which follows:
'... the carved and ebonised wood elephant figure with mother of pearl and coral cabochon set eyes, the elephant applied with a detachable multi-gem set gilt metal hathi howdah, incorporating two seated figures, set throughout with graduated circular cut ruby, sapphire, emerald and coral cabochons and freshwater cultured pearls, on a red velvet covered rectangular wooden base, with gold thread embroidered scrolling border'.
It measures 21.7cms by 15.5cms by 28.8cms (would fit neatly on top of the microwave), has as its provenance the 'Property of an Edinburgh estate', and is estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at Lyon & Turnbull's fine antiques auction tomorrow at 11am on Broughton Place.
Go on ... treat yourself.
[All images courtesy of Lyon & Turnbull.]