AN AGATE MONKEY AND PEACH GROUP, China, Qing dynasty, 18th/19th century

Carved in openwork depicting an adult and juvenile monkey.

The juvenile monkey is grasping a large peach, to the centre a bat in high relief whilst the adult clambers on top. To the rear of the adult there is a butterfly carved in relief using the natural impurities of the stone.

The stone of opaque grey tone skilfully carved using the natural impurities to form highlights of the carving such as the monkeys eyes, the butterfly and the bat.

Provenance: -Private Collection, Germany.