A monkey reaches down from the back of a horse and grabs one of its ears. This a typical Chinese depiction full of symbolism. A monkey (hou) riding a horse (ma) is a pun ‘May you immediately be promoted to the rank of marquis’ (Mashang fenghou). This carving would be the ideal gift to an aspiring official. The eyes of both animals are inlaid with a black material, most probably glass. The carving is signed Songshan (松山). Height 5.0 cm. Width 3.7 cm. Depth 2.4 cm.