One of these two gilt wooden statues holds a stirrup in his right hand. The stirrup and the horse-harness were two of the four most significant Chinese inventions along with the discovery of paper-making and the production of gunpowder. We have not been able to find the meaning of the stirrup in Chinese symbolism yet but we have a strong feeling that it represents ‘stepping up’ (career advancement). On a table in front of this dignitary with his ‘Eagle-wing’ headgear is a peach, symbol of a long life. The other statue depicts an official with a fan in his hand, symbol of Longevity. He looks at a large vase which is a pun for Peace. The statues are marked on the back with the Chinese characters for ‘third and second from the left’ and formed originally part of a piece of furniture. They were acquired in Hong Kong in 1987 and date from the end of the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Height 18 cm. Width 8 cm.