64 cm.（25 1/4 in.）wide

Provenance：
Acquired in the mid-19th century in China（by repute）
Private Collection，UK.

The buffalo is one of the twelve horary animals representing Chou，the second of the twelve branches of the calendar system. They are associated with prosperity，tranquillity and strength. They are also evocative of rural life due to their important role in farming and the production of food.
No other bronze of this exceptional size and quality appears to have been published although it may be compared in quality to the life-size bronze figure of a buffalo commissioned by the Emperor Qianlong overlooking Lake Kunming in the gardens of the Summer Palace. The sculptural qualities of this bronze can also be related to large and finely carved jade examples of buffalo，thought to have been made for the Imperial palaces，such as the example being offered at China Guardian Hong Kong，Virtue and Purity – A Selection of Fine Chinese Jade Carvings，2nd October 2017，lot 426.

Price estimate:
HKD: 800,000 - 1,200,000
USD: 103,400 - 155,100

Auction Result:
HKD: --