Circa 1880 China
A 19th Century Pair of Turquoise Glazed Buffalo
£1,450
SOLD
Height 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm)
Width 8 inches (20.32 cm)
Depth 5 1/2 inches (13.97 cm)
A pair of late 19th century turquoise glazed porcelain buffalo, of stylised form and modelled lying down.
An animal of proverbial strength, the water buffalo or ox is the second of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Symbolising harvest, fertility, springtime and idyllic life, in China the water buffalo is an important agricultural animal to this day. The ox is so admired by the Chinese that the character “niu” (牛) is a synonym for “good” or “skilful”.
Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875-1908).
