A 'MONKEY AND PEACH' BRONZE WEIGHT, MING DYNASTY China, 16^th-17^th century. Cast in openwork as a monkey perched on a branch with foliage, holding a peach in its hands, the face with a quizzical expression and bulging eyes, the fur finely incised.

Provenance: Gerard Hawthorn Ltd. Oriental Art, London, 4 October 2005. A notable private collector in Kensington, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the above. A copy of the original signed invoice from Gerard Hawthorn, dated 4 October 2005, listing the present lot as a “Chinese bronze weight, Ming dynasty, 16^th/17^th century”, and stating a purchase price of GBP 1,500 or approx. EUR 2,700 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies this lot.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, traces of use, few nicks and shallow surface scratches. Fine patina overall.

Weight: 181.1 g
Dimensions: Height 5.8 cm

The homophone for monkey, hou, one of the twelve zodiac animals, is 'nobleman' or 'high official' as well as 'descendants'. The monkey therefore represents the wish for the success of one's descendants. The representation of monkey and peach relates to the legendary Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, who stole the peaches of immortality. Therefore, the present lot bestows auspicious wishes for success and longevity for generations.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 26 May 2021, lot 578
Price: HKD 37,800 or approx. EUR 4,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of a monkey, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the related pose, peach, and finely incised fur. Note the size (10.8 cm).

13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

明代猴子捧桃銅鎮
中國，十六至十七世紀。銅鑄棲息在桃樹枝上的一隻猴子，手裡捧著一個桃子，表情生動可愛，雕刻精細。

來源：倫敦Gerard Hawthorn Ltd.東方藝術藝廊，2005年10月4日；倫敦肯辛頓知名私人收藏，購於上述藝廊。隨附藝廊原始發票複印件，日期為2005年10月4日，描述為 “Chinese bronze weight，Ming dynasty，16th/17th century”（明代，十六至十七世紀，中國銅鎮），價格為 GBP 1,500，相當於現在的EUR 2,700 。
品相：狀況極好，有輕微磨損、使用痕跡、少量刻痕和表面淺劃痕。整體細膩包漿。

重量：181.1 克
尺寸：高5.8 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2021年5月26日，lot 578
價格：HKD 37,800（相當於今日EUR 4,900）
描述：十七世紀銅靈猴獻壽
專家評論：比較相近的姿勢、桃子，以及細雕的皮毛。請注意尺寸(10.8 厘米)。