Stunning Antique Pair of Chinese Carved Hardwood & Silver Inlaid Water Buffalo

  

This is a magnificent pair of large hardwood water buffalo inlaid with silver wire with a bearded man and two boys riding on each of their backs, carved in China in the late 19th century. The quality and level of detail in the carving elevates this pair above nearly all other examples of what was a popular theme in figurative carving in China in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Dimensions: Height 28.5 cm, Width 27 cm, Depth 14 cm. Weight: 2.42 kg each.

Condition: The carvings are in very good antique condition with a lovely lustrous patina. The only damage is to one of the bases where a couple of the tips to the front edge have bee lost, though this does little to distract from these impressive carvings.