Lot 53. A pale brown and white jade carving of a monkey, 18th century; 5.7cm (2 1/4in) high. Estimate HK$40,000-60,000. Sold for HK$ 600,000 (€ 71,690). Photo Bonhams.

The monkey seated scratching its back with a gnarled leafy branch issuing a peach, the stone with a gradual transition of white and russet brown tones. 

Provenance : Acquired by the previous owner in Hong Kong, during the 1970s
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2010, lot 2816.

Note: Monkey, 猴 hou, is a pun for high-ranking noble equivalent to a marquis 侯 hou. A monkey holding a peach is also symbolic of longevity as it is holding the fruit of immortality. When paired together with peaches, 壽桃 shoutao, they form the auspicious homophone of 'sacred monkey offers longevity', 靈猴獻壽 linghou xianshou.

Bonham's. The Sze Yuan Tang Collection of Chinese Jades, Hong Kong, 5 April 2016