The puzzle-ball is formed as an outer ball with further balls inside, featuring intricate openwork and floral designs. The puzzle-ball sits at the top of a thin, ornately carved stand. To the middle of the stand is the Japanese pictorial maxim of three wise monkeys, which embody the proverbial principle ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’. The phrase is generally associated with the principle of being of good mind, speech and action. The bottom of the stand is crafted in the form of an immortal figure holding a fan and stroking his long beard, with a base carved in decorative motifs.
Chinese, c.1900. Dimensions: Height 25.5cm overall.