Carved Dark Stone Recumbent Water Buffalo/Oxen
Name/Title
Carved Dark Stone Recumbent Water Buffalo/OxenEntry/Object ID
SC2407Description
Chinese carved dark ornamental stone figure of a recumbent water buffalo, modeled with its massive body resting horizontally and the legs gathered beneath and alongside the torso. The broad bovine head is distinguished by a pair of laterally spreading, backward-curving horns carved with pronounced transverse ridges, together with delineated eyes, ears and muzzle. Carved rockwork or vegetation surrounds the forequarters. The body is smoothly polished in contrast to the more deeply carved and undercut treatment of the head and surrounding details. The underside has been deliberately flattened and retains extensive parallel working marks. The water buffalo has longstanding associations in Chinese art with agricultural life, strength and endurance.Type of Sculpture
Free StandingArtwork Details
Medium
Unidentified stoneSubject
Recumbent water buffalo or oxCategory
Chinese carved stone
Made/Created
Artist
Maker presently unidentifiedTime Period
20th CenturyEthnography
Cultural Region
Continent
AsiaCulture/Tribe
Chinese