Aquamarine Carving of a Monkey by W. Klein


Idar-Oberstein, Germany Aquamarines were often used as amulets in ancient times and this enchanting carving could certainly serve that purpose. Carved of deep, sea-blue aquamarine, from the Thanh Hoa Province of Vietnam, it was created by one of the premier animal carvers of Germany. The monkey is holding a piece of fruit and has a dangling tail and hind leg, reminiscent of the style of Chinese carvings of chop form. The aquamarine is near facet-grade quality, unsigned. Height 2 1/4in (5.7cm)
|Provenance: Purchased from Bonhams & Butterfields, Natural History, Los Angeles, January 16, 2005, Sale 13070, lot 2448.