The tiger, in pewter with 24K gilding, ascends to inspect the lay of the land, in a composition that conveys notions of confidence, longevity and farsightedness. Abstract motifs of waves, rocks and clouds decorate the base of crimson composite resin.

Folk tales recount the oriental zodiac's origins with the story of the Great Race, called by the deity the Jade Emperor to assign each year in the 12-year cycle an animal in the order they reached him by crossing a river. First past the post was the Rat, then the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.