AN IVORY CARVING OF BOYS AT PLAY MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

the central boy wearing an official's cap, his right arm raised holding a larger official's cap, surrounded by four smaller boys trying to reach for the cap, one clambering above another's back as the tallest raises the smallest on his shoulder, the central boy dressed in a long flowing robe clad with a ruyi shaped plastron inscribed changming fugui the ivory well patinated to a rich yellow colour and traces of gold paint

Acquired in Paris between the 1970s and the early 90s.

The present group depicts five boys playfully fighting for a helmet, which represents the competition for distinction and the wish for sons to attain 'first place' in the civil service examinations. These boys refer to the five eminent sons of Dou Yujun, each of whom achieved exceptional success in the civil service examinations. Dou, a scholar, educator and official, lived at Yanshan during the Five Dynasties period (907-960) and is revered as the ideal parent for successfully raising five outstanding sons.