A beautifully carved Chinese triple brush pot group in mottled green and russet soapstone, depicting monkeys and deer climbing among pierced rockwork supporting three vessels. There is a dynamism to the carving of the animals.
This is a classic scholar’s desk object, richly symbolic and finely composed in the traditional literati taste.
This piece embodies classic Chinese symbolic motifs, and full of auspicious meaning.
The monkey symbolising rank, official promotion, and success in examinations. The deer representing prosperity and career advancement.
Together, monkey and deer form a rebus wishing high office, wealth, and advancement. Whilst the openwork rockwork references the scholar’s love of Taihu stones and natural forms.
Please look carefully at the images as they form part of the description.
Height: 16 cms. Width: 18 cms. Depth: 6 cms. Weight: 0.881 Kgs.
Price: £40.00.
Postage: £6.00. UK mainland dispatch by Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For. COMBINED POSTAGE AVAILABLE FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES IN GENERAL. CONTACT SELLER. For overseas dispatch refer to details of eBay's GSP, Global Shipping Programme, by clicking on SEE DETAILS in the postage section under the BUY IT NOW button.
SKU number: 13004.
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Here is a high-end eBay listing tailored to your piece:
Chinese Soapstone Brush Pot Group Monkeys Deer Scholar Vase Qing Style
A beautifully carved Chinese triple brush pot group in mottled green and russet soapstone, depicting monkeys and deer climbing among pierced rockwork supporting three vessels.
This is a classic scholar’s desk object, richly symbolic and finely composed in the traditional literati taste.
The carving is full of auspicious meaning:
Monkey (猴 hóu) – A pun for marquis (侯 hóu), symbolising rank, official promotion, and success in examinations.
Deer (鹿 lù) – A homophone for emolument/salary (禄 lù), representing prosperity and career advancement.
Together, monkey and deer form a rebus wishing high office, wealth, and advancement.
The openwork rockwork references the scholar’s love of Taihu stones and natural forms.
This type of imagery was particularly popular on scholar’s desk objects during the late Qing and Republican periods.
Carved from variegated soapstone with attractive natural marbling in celadon green and warm russet tones. The stone shows natural inclusions consistent with traditional Chinese decorative carving material.
Triple vessel configuration
Deep openwork carving throughout
Multiple fully carved animal figures in dynamic poses
Rockwork base with pierced elements
Originally intended as a brush pot / scholar’s desk ornament, but equally suitable today as a sculptural decorative object or small floral arrangement (as shown).
Likely late Qing Dynasty to early Republic period (circa 1880–1920).
The carving style, stone choice, and composition are consistent with decorative scholar’s objects produced in that era for domestic literati use and export markets.
Structurally sound
Some natural stone fissures and inclusions
Minor surface wear consistent with age
No obvious major losses observed
Please review photographs carefully.
Comparable soapstone scholar groups typically realise:
£250 – £600 retail, depending on size and carving quality.
A decorative, highly displayable example with strong symbolic appeal.
If you would like, I can also provide:
A shorter “Buy It Now” version
A more scholarly catalogue-style description
Or a premium £595 fixed-price strategy listing format.