This
19th century carving is a fanciful glorification of His Excellency
the Monkey God in resplendent royal attire meticulously ornamented
with delicate floral and cloud motifs and wearing elegant
black boots. With dignified formality he assumes an imperial
stance, his left foot poised on a cloud, long simian fingers
raised in a salute; his right hand rests on his hip and may
have held an attribute. The base is carved with a lotus and
spiraling leaf forms, and the piece wears its gilding lacily
over a black lacquer ground. No chips or losses of wood.
The
status of the monkey in Buddhism is not unequivocal, for although
he may be thought ugly and deceitful, nevertheless he is worshipped
popularly for his power to drive away evil and sorcery and
to bestow health, protection and success. The monkey was worshipped
first in India, where an emissary of a Tang Dynasty Emperor
had been dispatched to obtain the Sacred Books of the Buddhist
religion. In this quest he was aided by a monkey and in gratitude
the emperor bestowed upon the monkey the title of “Great Sage
Equal to Heaven.” and “His Excellency, the Holy King,“ whose
birthday is celebrated by all classes of society on the 23rd
day of the second Chinese month.
