Pair of lacquered wooden carvings depicting officials on horses and their grooms. Each official has a fan in his hands. The two grooms clinch their fists as if they are about to start a fight. Why they seem so aggressive is unknown to us. A career as an official, here recognizable by their headgear, offered many advantages and privileges and could only be attained during the very difficult state examinations. It is therefore fairly plausible that these two carvings once formed part of a bed and symbolized the hope for many successful sons. The carvings date from the late Qing period (ca 1880) and were acquired in Macau in 1996. Height 11.5 cm. Width 8 cm. Depth 5 cm.