Antique Chinese Buffalo Horn Carvings | Daoist Immortal Figures

Dimensions: 9-0”h x 2-1/4”w x 1-3/4”d; 6-0”h x 1-3/4”w x 1-1/4”d

Offered is a large and small single piece of carved Animal Horn that is unique and is based on the artist’s vision and the shape and color variations of the natural material. There is wonderful detail in both of these pieces from the tip of the horn to the bottom, in the form of two Daoist Immortals. Both are dressed in flowing robe and hat. The natural amber hue has great depth and variation throughout each piece as shown in the images. The pair has been mounted to a pao tong wood base to give them further stability and to set the scene. This set was purchased from the daughter of the Chew Family, Frances Marie, “aka Sister Mary Asha shown in the Center of this image), and her mother who was the last to operate the China Art Center in Caramel, California.

Condition: Excellent condition for each piece is perfect, with no chipping, missing elements, or color loss, and has been carefully preserved. A beautiful patinated finish, retaining the original craftsmanship. Meets the standards of the collector of the Chinese Daoist art genre.

Additional Information: Horn craft has a rich cultural heritage in Asia and is the native home of buffalo horn, in which the animal is never killed or harmed to just harvest their horns. When a farmer’s water buffalo dies at the end of a long and productive life, the horns are harvested. They are never wasted because of their importance in medical practice and religious beliefs.

According to archeologists, horns, or more specifically buffalo carvings, were among the first materials utilized for both decorative and practical applications for hundreds of years. In China Horn was carved in the images of deities, mythological figures, and sacred animals as well as being left in their natural state so as to appreciate the colorations and natural characteristics of the material.