Three Wise Monkeys - Figure - Unknown (No reserve price)
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Hand-carved brown wooden figurine of the Three Wise Monkeys, measuring 13 cm high, 14.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm deep, 210 g, dating to circa 1950–1960 and 1990–2000, in good condition with small signs of aging.
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Description from the seller
This is a hand-carved wooden figurine of the Three Wise Monkeys, known worldwide by the motto "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil."
The symbolism—the three monkeys embody the virtue of not looking at what is bad, not listening to what is bad, and not speaking evil oneself. In Japanese, each monkey has a name that forms a pun on the word for monkey (*saru*/*zaru*)
Mizaru (left): Covers the eyes ("sees no evil").
Kikazaru (middle): Covers the ears ("hears no evil").
Iwazaru (right): Covers the mouth ("speaks no evil").
The spiritual philosophy behind this symbol has its deepest roots in the ancient texts of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The visual motif of the three monkeys became truly world-famous through an iconic 17th-century wood carving on the sacred stables of the Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan.
This is a hand-carved wooden figurine of the Three Wise Monkeys, known worldwide by the motto "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil."
The symbolism—the three monkeys embody the virtue of not looking at what is bad, not listening to what is bad, and not speaking evil oneself. In Japanese, each monkey has a name that forms a pun on the word for monkey (*saru*/*zaru*)
Mizaru (left): Covers the eyes ("sees no evil").
Kikazaru (middle): Covers the ears ("hears no evil").
Iwazaru (right): Covers the mouth ("speaks no evil").
The spiritual philosophy behind this symbol has its deepest roots in the ancient texts of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The visual motif of the three monkeys became truly world-famous through an iconic 17th-century wood carving on the sacred stables of the Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
210 g
Number of objects
1
Title
Three Wise Monkeys
Country of origin
Unknown
Material
Wood
Colour
Brown
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
13 cm
Width
14.5 cm
Depth
4.5 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960, 1990-2000
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