A fine Chinese celadon jade carving of a water buffalo Qianlong 1736-95, the beast recumbent, its head slightly raised with its horns resting across its back, its legs tucked beneath its body, a small boy clambering upon its back, holding a cord suspended from the buffalo's nostrils in his left hand, a stalk of millet in his right, the stone with grey and russet tones, a modern fitted hardwood stand, 15.7cm. (2)

Provenance: an English private collection. Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd., on the 23rd August 1960, for £1,600. Formerly the Henry Tozer Collection, purchased from Bluett's on the 12th June 1952, for £200. A copy of the original invoice is available.

Cf. Sotheby's, London, 26th July 1960, lot 141. M Wilson, Chinese Jades, Victoria & Albert Museum Far Eastern Series, p.81, no.87, where a smaller example of a buffalo with a boy, dated to the 18th century is illustrated. And also, R Davids & D Jellinek, Provenance, p.424, for further information about Henry Tozer.

The water buffalo is the traditional symbol of spring, strength and tranquillity; seen with the boy it is thought to represent a peaceful time and contented people. As the reputed mount of the philosopher Laozi, the buffalo has strong Daoist connotations. An important animal in all rice cultivation societies, buffaloes are depicted in art dating back thousands of years.