Details
Description
19th Century Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Bronze Water Buffalo Sculptures– Miniature Set, c.19th Century.
A charming matched pair of miniature …
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19th Century Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Bronze Water Buffalo Sculptures– Miniature Set, c.19th Century.
A charming matched pair of miniature Chinese bronze water buffalo / bull figures, solid cast and modelled in powerful low, charging poses with looped tails and ribbed horns. Each is finished in a rich dark brown patina with olive undertones and small areas of natural verdigris from age.
Dating to the late Qing dynasty in the later 19th century, the scale, weight and surface are very much in keeping with scholar’s desk bronzes – intimate objects intended to be handled, contemplated and displayed on a scholar’s table or in a cabinet of curiosities. In Chinese culture the buffalo or ox symbolises strength, patience and agricultural prosperity, making this pair a quietly meaningful emblem of perseverance and good fortune.
Dimensions (each)
Length: approx. 7.5 cm
Height: approx. 4.3 cm
Width: approx. 4 cm
Weights
Bull A: 142.44 g
Bull B: 145.34 g
(Total approx. 287.8 g for the pair)
Period / Origin
China
Late Qing dynasty, c. late 19th century
Why They Work in Today’s Interiors
Genuine bronze, not modern resin, with an attractive, naturally aged patina and touches of verdigris.
Miniature yet full of energy and character; only around 7.5 cm long but visually strong on a desk or shelf.
Conceived as a pair, they work beautifully in dialogue – facing one another, slightly offset, or standing guard at either end of a small book stack.
Rich with symbolism: the buffalo/ox is associated with strength, hard work and prosperity in Chinese tradition.
Easy to place and display; they sit solidly and look good from multiple angles.
Collectors’ Context
Small Chinese bronzes of this kind were eagerly collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Western connoisseurs began to assemble serious collections of Asian art. Today, comparable scholar’s bronzes can be found in major museum collections and important private collections worldwide. This miniature pair fits neatly into that long tradition of appreciation for finely cast Chinese bronzes, while remaining very accessible as decorative objects.
Provenance
Private Eastern Shires collection
Curated and catalogued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Acquired on the secondary market; earlier ownership not documented, as is often the case with small 19th-century bronzes.
Provenance and dating are offered in good faith and are based on visual inspection and comparison with similar recorded examples.
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- Dimensions
- 1.69ʺW × 2.95ʺD × 1.57ʺH
- Styles
- Qing
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- China
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Bronze
- Condition
- Original Condition Unaltered, Needs Restoration
- Color
- Bronze
- Condition Notes
- Condition Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. There are small scattered spots of verdigris, minor rubbing to the high points … moreCondition Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. There are small scattered spots of verdigris, minor rubbing to the high points and light surface marks from handling, all consistent with age and use. No obvious repairs or structural damage are observed. As with all genuine antiques, some irregularities and signs of age are to be expected and form part of their character. They are ready to display as found, or could be further integrated into a more formal arrangement on a scholar’s desk or within a curated shelf or cabinet display. less
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