Date: Early 20^th Century

Shanghai Museum

• Object Type：
  • JADE

Ingeniously carved in the round, this pale celadon sculpture with partial russet inclusions depicts a recumbent water buffalo and a boy clambering onto its back as he grabs the buffalo’s horn by his left hand and holds in his right hand a spray of millet.

 From the Sui and Tang dynasty onwards, jade wares had been increasingly designed for everyday use and pleasure, leading to a fashion of displaying jade artworks. During the Ming and Qing dynasty, jade furnishings became prevalent in wealthy households as manifestations of status and taste. Common exhibits included living figures and miniature mountains. The boy-and-buffalo theme is still popular today as it exemplifies the vibrancy and innocency of life and the joy of farming.

【Special Exhibition】 Stride Towards a Niu Year: China-Korea Exchange Exhibition Celebrating the Year of the Ox