λ A CHINESE IVORY CARVING OF A MONKEY ON A GOURD EARLY 19TH CENTURY Formed as the primate...

λ A CHINESE IVORY CARVING OF A MONKEY ON A GOURD

EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Formed as the primate climbing on a large fruit, it clings to a leafy vine whilst reaching out for an insect, the top of the gourd a removable cover which lifts off to reveal a chain and a further monkey, 5.3cm.

Provenance: purchased from Hua Shi Oriental Art Pte Ltd, Singapore, on 26th March 1988. The original invoice is available.

Cf. the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, museum no.A.926-1910 for a similar piece.