Hand Carved Wooden Water Buffalo and Shepherd Boy | 20th Century Vintage Asian Sculpture | Collectible Oriental Art

Hand-carved vintage sculpture representing the allegorical figure of a shepherd boy on a water buffalo, a fundamental iconographic motif in East Asian art.

Object History: This theme, frequently known as the 'Boy and the Ox', carries deep symbolic weight in Zen Buddhism and Taoism, representing the taming of the ego and the search for enlightenment. Produced in the mid-20th century, this piece reflects the mastery of traditional artisanal carving, where the animal figure symbolizes strength and patience, while the child represents purity and harmony.

Details and Characteristics:
- Period: 1950s
- Technique: Manual carving on solid wood with a polished finish
- Height: 11 cm (4.33 inches)
- Length: 13 cm (5.12 inches)
- Width: 5.5 cm (2.17 inches)
- Weight: 205 g (0.45 lb)
- Material: Fine-grained wood (possibly boxwood or similar hardwood)
- Condition: Good vintage condition with natural patina. A small chip is noted on the tip of the left horn, visible in the detailed photographs.

Use and Value: A piece of interest for collectors of Asian art, scholars of Buddhist iconography, or as a high-quality decorative element for interiors with Oriental influence. Returns are not accepted for this collectible item.