Help identifying/authenticating antique chinese candlestick (candle holder).

by Matt S.
(Bristol, IN)

I bought this elephant at an estate sale and am having a difficult time figuring out if it is the real thing or a reproduction. I did find a couple other white elephants like this one and each had it's own different paint scheme, all very similar but different. I also noticed that a mark of some sort is found on the inside of the blanket that is over the elephant, mine has no such marking. I do know that some of the earlier versions of the elephant made no mention of having a mark on the underside of them which leads me to believe that not all of these elephants have a makers mark. My question is, do you believe this version is the real thing and have you heard of reproductions of this elephant being done? Any help you can give me with this would be greatly appreciated, thank you. Also, the elephant is about 9 1/2" tall and the legs are solid but the main body is hollow.