Carved water buffalo with Budda (?) riding on back of it
Green & white carved rock (Serpentine ?) of water buffalo , with star symbol on top of head. Figure (Budda ?) riding on back of buffalo, with other items next to it. Size is 10.5" long x 3.25" thick x 9.0" tall. Can not find any identification marks. This was purchased at an estate sale.
History unknown
Other
Yes
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you for your appraisal inquiry with Mearto. I apologize for the delay in your appraisal and thank you for your patience. The item presented appears to be a carved soapstone sculpture of a Chinese herdboy riding a water buffalo. The sun symbol appears to be a decorative element. The object appears to date to the late 19th or 20th century.
The estimate provided is based on recent auction estimates and results of other comparable soapstone carving of water buffalo or ox with a herdboy, dating to the 20th century. The estimate is contingent on a full condition report. Please note asking or dealer prices may vary. Thank you and please take care.
Hello Carolyn. The material may be a type of serpentine stone. Determining material without physically examining the object can be quite difficult.
Thank you for the information Sara. I think that it might be serpentine myself because the hardness is higher than normal soapstone.
The photos of the sculpture turned out very blackish green. It is a dark bright green in reality.
Rock material has a specific gravity of 3.26 and a hardness of between 3 and 4 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Weight is 6lbs. 2 oz. The herdboy and the items above him have been carved from the same rock as the water buffalo, even though they are more whitish than the dark green of the water buffalo. They have not been carved and then applied to the carving. The sculpture is in excellent/mint condition and has a very nice polish to it.