This rare Ming Dynasty (16-17th century) carved stone monkey, holding a longevity peach, possibly was the top portion of a tall stone hitching post. It has some weathered cracks and small losses.

Monkey is a motif often seen in Ming Dynasty stone work. This stone carving with a simplistic look is carved in a "圓雕 style (round carving style) with the monkey slightly tugged underneath a cave. Monkey is often associated with Buddhism, such as the monkey character, Sun-Wu-Kong, in the "West Bound Journey", a tale of the Tang-San-Zang monk who went to India and brought back Buddist's Sutra to China.

A stone hitching post was used to tie a horse to at a rest stop.

Dimensions: 10 3/4"w x 14"d x 17 1/8"h

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