In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang officially proclaimed himself emperor in Yingtian and founded the Ming Dynasty. It lasted until 1644. It was a period of enlightenment in China's history, with traders foraging far and wide for new and exciting ideas.

Ming Dynasty Carved Jade Monkeys

This carving, in creamy green jade, is of a pair of frolicsome monkeys, one on the shoulder of the other. The monkey is a clever animal. People used to compare it to a smart person. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), the dignified official title, marquis with the pronunciation 'Hou', was the same as the monkey's. The monkey was thereby bestowed with auspicious meaning. It appeared on pictures pasted on the walls and doors to predict good fortune in officialdom.

This pair measures 2 1/8 inches high. There is a cord through the pair, as shown, and a small jade bead on the cord.

$ 700.00

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