A bamboo carving, 'Monkey on a Horse Carved in the Round' made in the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty. The decorative motif of a monkey standing on horseback is a homophonic pun for a 'quick promotion', which is often seen on porcelain, jade, and bamboo carvings in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Other motifs may use the monkey and bee as a pair, which constitutes a similar pun for promotion.   Close