
Asaph Hyman
Global Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Sold for £3,600 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistGlobal Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Provenance: acquired in the 1950s-60s
The combination of horse, monkey and wasp is well known as a gift for an ambitious figure. The combination of homonyms can be read either as the names of the three elements depicted, or by an amusing linguistic pun as the donor's good wishes that the recipient may be either immediately conferred the rank of Marquis, or appointed to a high-ranking position. Another example of this trio is illustrated by T.T.Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p.114, no.5.13.1