AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY ON A HORSE
Ivory netsukeJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The monkey, or saru, on a horse is an old Chinese symbol for the rise to power. “The monkey sitting on a horse” reads “Ma Shang Feng Hou” 马上封候, which sounds like “Promotion is fast approaching”. This monkey is wearing a courtly eboshi on his head and holding the reins, while the horse’s head is raised. Himotoshi in the center of the rectangular base.HEIGHT 4.4 CMCondition: Very good condition with only very minor age cracksProvenance: French private collection