DescriptionChina, 1750-1850.Well hollowed, ofpressed globular form, rising from a flat oval foot to a cylindrical neck with concave top and a large mouth. Carved through the caramel-colored outer layer to the gray body with attractive bands of brown, cream, and white color, depicting a monkey riding a horse under a towering pine tree, the reverse carved with a single wasp.Monkeys are a popular subject partly because of their meaning in various rebuses, but also because of their longevity symbolism. The depiction of a monkey on horseback, as seen on the present lot, represents the rebus ‘Ma shang feng hou’, which may be translated as ‘May you receive a swift promotion to a high rank of office’.Stopper:CoralWeight:85.2 gDimensions:Height incl. stopper 69 mm, Diameter neck 19.5 mm and mouth 10 mmProvenance:John Sparks Ltd, London (old label to base).Collection of Sir David and Lady Scholey, acquired from the above. John Sparks began trading as the Japanese Fine Art Depot in 1890 and later established John Sparks Ltd in 1906. Recognized as one of the most respected London dealers in Chinese art, John Sparks supplied an international clientele of collectors, including Queen Mary, from whom thepany received the Royal Warrant of Antiquary of Chinese Art in 1926.The next year John Sparks moved to larger premises at 128 Mount Street in Mayfair, London, where it remained until it closed in 1990.Condition:Excellent condition with minor wear, the stopper with several small chips, and the spoon with a small loss.Auction resultparison:Compare a related but slightly smaller (6 cm) cameo agate snuff bottle, similarly carved through an outer layer with a monkey on horseback, at Christie’s New York in A Collecting Legacy: Fine Chinese Jade Carvings and Works of Art from the Lizzadro Collection on 21 March 2013, lot 1234, sold for USD 12,500.