A PORCELAIN FIGURE OF A WHITE-HAIRED MONKEY WITH PEACH, EARLY QINGChina, 1680-1760. The monkey lying in a recumbent yet dynamic position with one leg crossed over the other, holding up a partly gilt peach with one hand. The movable head with a finely detailed face showing a quizzical expression, the mouth slightly open revealing the movable tongue. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt patterned with leaves and scrolling vines.Provenance: From a notable US private collection of early export porcelain, by repute acquired in the 1960s and 1970s.Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and some firing irregularities, two firing cracks inherent to manufacturing, the tip of the peach with a microscopic glaze flake.Weight: 182.2 gDimensions: Length 15 cmThis lively image bears multiple symbolic meanings: The peach traditionally represents immortality, and the monkey represents success in office. In Daoist mythology, Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West, was said to have presented a peach of immortality, which grows only once every 3,000 years, to Emperor Wu of Han.The pronunciations of the word monkey and official are the same in Chinese. Therefore, it can be used as a pun to imply the success in office and the promotion of rank. The white-haired monkey is an extremely rare genetic mutation which happens only once every hundred-thousandth births and is considered an exceptionally auspicious symbol.清初白猴捧桃像 中國,1680-1760。猴子動感十足,一隻腿交叉在另一隻腿上,一隻手舉起一隻桃子。 頭的面部表現非常精細,表情古怪,嘴巴稍微張開,露出了可活動的舌頭。 穿著短袖襯衫,上面畫著纏枝花紋。 來源:來自美國貴族一個早期外銷瓷器收藏,據説購於1960年至1970年間。 品相:狀況極佳,有輕微磨損和一些燒製不規則現象,桃子的頂端帶有細微釉面開片。 重量:182.2 克 尺寸:長15 厘米