Description
A fine Chinese white jade carving of a monkey Qianlong 1736-95, kneeling and holding a large peach in his hands, facing forward with a knitted brow and his hair defined along his spine, 6.5cm.
Provenance: an English private collection.
The monkey (hou) is an important Chinese symbol, its name being a pun for a high-ranking official. The monkey offering a peach (shoutao) is a sacred symbol of longevity.
Cf. The Avery Brundage Collection, for a related green nephrite example.
