A Chinese pale celadon jade carving of a water buffalo 18th/19th century

A Chinese pale celadon jade carving of a water buffalo 18th/19th century, recumbent on a rocky base carved with sprays of rice, the underside with swirling water, the buffalo with a tether from one nostril, which wraps around one finely carved horn and curls across his back, the face delicately detailed with a beatific expression, the stone an even colour, 12.5cm long. Provenance: an English private collection, formerly in the collection of Henry M. Knight (d.1971). Cf. Davids and Jellinek, Provenance, pp.276-280 for details about Henry Knight. Cf. The water buffalo is the traditional symbol of Spring, strength and tranquility, as the reputed mount of the philosoper Laozi, the buffalo has strong Daoist connotations, and is an important animal in all rice cultivation societies. Buffaloes are also depicted in art dating back thousands of years.