A CHINESE JADE 'HORSE AND MONKEY' BELT BUCKLE AND A JADE CARVING OF A CAT

A CHINESE JADE 'HORSE AND MONKEY' BELT BUCKLE AND A JADE CARVING OF A CAT

19TH CENTURY

The belt buckle formed as a monkey climbing on the back of a reclining horse, the stone of a pale celadon colour with russet markings, the model of a cat worked in black and celadon jade, the feline depicted in a recumbent pose with its head turned back, together with a wood stand, 7.5cm and 4.6cm. (3)

Provenance: from the collection of Dr Elmut Hanfmann (d.1998) and Dr Ingeborg, and thence by descent.

The motif of a monkey, hou, on the back of a horse, ma, represents the rebus ma shang feng hou, which may be translated as 'may you immediately be promoted to a high rank of office.' Such pieces would have been used to pass on good wishes to aspiring officials.