A large white jade 'boy and buffalo' group Qing dynasty, Qianlong period | 清乾隆 白玉雕童子牧牛

The quality of the white stone and strength of the carving on the current buffalo and boy group highlight its skillful representation of an auspicious scene in the natural world. The reclining buffalo, a symbol of strength and tranquillity, is also associated with spring and agriculture because of its role in pulling ploughs. According to James C.S. Lin in The Immortal Stone, Cambridge, 2009, p. 51, from the Ming dynasty buffaloes were often depicted at rest with its head turned 90 degrees, as seen in this carving, to indicate that the world was at peace. When depicted with a young boy riding on its back, this motif represents obedience and serenity as well as spring and agriculture because of its role in pulling ploughs. Even a small child can ride an animal of this size and strength without fear. 

A jade carving of a boy climbing over the back of a buffalo, from the Mrs Ronnie Greville DBE, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth, and Wallace collections, was sold in our London rooms, 14th November 2001, lot 44, and again in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3210. See also a smaller white jade boy and buffalo group from the Thompson-Schwab collection, sold in our London rooms, 9^th November 2016, lot 3. Another was sold in these Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2800; and a third of slightly larger size, was sold at Christie’s London, 6th November 2012, lot 10. See also a slightly larger jade buffalo and qilin group, but lacking the boy, from the collection of the Earl and Countess of Jersey, sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 18; and another sold at Christie’s London, 12th May 1958, lot 143.