Pair of kneeling red eyed monkey sculptures, one holding a peach, originally made as religious images for a Shinto Shrine for the monkey god, Sarutahiko. Of carved cypress wood with inlaid crystal eyes. Muromachi period, 15th – early 16th century.

These early wood monkey images are very rare, and it is likely that these may have been made for a major shrine such as Hiyoshi Jinja in Sakamoto, Shiga Prefecture. The three mystic apes were considered divine messengers of Sarutahiko.

13 ¾” high x 7 1/8” wide x 8 ¼” deep, kneeling monkey.
13 1/8” high x 7 ½” wide x 8” deep, monkey with peach.