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Lot 30

A white and black jade 'horse and monkey' group
18th/19th century

11 November 2010, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £3,600 inc. premium

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A white and black jade 'horse and monkey' group

18th/19th century
Unusually carved as a recumbent horse biting its rear hoof and a greyish-black monkey perched in high relief at one side, with a white wasp on its left arm, wood stand. 3.5cm (1½in) wide (2).

Footnotes

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

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