Page 99 - Reginald and Lena Palmer Collection EXHIBITION, Bonhams London Oct 25 to November 2 2021

When the Manchu invaded China in the mid
Rulers also, however, used the symbolism of
17th century, many Chinese scholars found the horse to represent those who wished to
themselves in a situation similar to their serve or not. Qing Court paintings of horses
ancestors under the Mongol Yuan dynasty by Leng Mei (1669-?) and also by the Italian
and many were still loyal to the former Ming Jesuit Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766)
dynasty. Loyalty to the Ming cause and show some emaciated horses, representing
hopes of a restoration ran well into the Kangxi those scholars who refused to serve the Qing
reign, as evidenced by the revolt of the Three regime, while well-fed ones symbolised those
Feudatories (1673-1681). Many scholars who served. See a painting of horses by
simply refused to serve the Qing dynasty and Castiglione in the National Palace Museum,
stayed hopeful that a Ming restoration would Taipei (acc.no.Gu-Hua-000797-00000)
lead to recognition and employment. The showing both emaciated and well-fed horses.
present jade horse, therefore, could represent For a discussion on the theme of emaciated
the hopeful scholar wishing to be spotted for horses, see Shou ma xing: Lang Shining de
his talent and find employment. Zhongguo jingyan, Beijing, 2017. The present
jade carving therefore, could also have been
owned by an official who saw himself as a
capable administrator searching for talent.
See a related jade carving of a horse drinking,
Ming dynasty, illustrated by J.C.Y.Watt,
Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing, New York,
1980, p.85, no.68.
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