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Hi there everyone!!

I was wondering if any of you could throw some light on this piece for me. I believe this to be soapstone but maybe you can correct me if it looks like something else to you.

its size is 7" high by 5" 1/2 across

I have consulted in other forums and no one could actually specify an age or even country of origin.
Any idea on its value too?

ANY help would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/trantiques/antiques1/jadecarving6.jpg[/IMG]



Link :chinese soapstone carving?

Dear Tristan

He is one of 18 Lohans/Arhats called Maitreya, A tamer of tiger Lohan/Arhat.

Maitreya, The Tiger Taming Arhat (17th or 18th): This is one of our "guest" Arhats. His identity as Maitreya is something of a problem. Remember that, originally, the Arhats were to remain "on duty" guarding the Dharma until Maitreya came. Well, if Maitreya is one of them, then how…? Anyway, for Maitreya's story, refer back to the section entitled "In the Hall of the Bodhisattvas." The tiger here represents the passions; one story of the tiger-tamer (attributed to the second Pindola--remember, the name is not as important here as the attribute) says that there had been a tiger harassing a town; when the Tiger-Taming Arhat arrived in the area, he suggested feeding the tiger to prevent its depredations. Naturally, the food given was all vegetarian, and the tiger thus became tame!
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Your soap stone figurine is modern with oversized hands.

Have fun
Anita Mui

Dear Tristan

Sorry, I copied and pasted without checking at the content.

He would be Pindola / Taming Tiger Lohan, not Maitreya.

Precious ring with magical powers,
Infinitely resourceful.
Vigorous and powerful,
Subduing a ferocious tiger.

Pindola was a Brahmin and a general. Because he was devoted to Buddhism, which forbids killing, he was ordered by the king to become a monk. He joined a monastery in the mountains where he could hear a tiger howling every day. He said that the tiger was probably hungry and should be fed some vegetarian food. Otherwise the tiger might become a man-eater. So Pindola collected food from the monks and put it in a bucket which he left outside the monastery. The tiger did come for the food every night. After a period of time, the tiger was tamed. Thus Pindola was referred to as the Taming Tiger Lohan.



URL Title :Pindora

Thanks infinitely for your help Anita,

It is really beautiful to see there is still people willing to share their knowledge for the sake of cultural preservation and friendship.
I hope the person who buys this from me does the same with the story I am attaching to this vintage piece.

Anything you may need from me or Argentina, please do not hesitate to ask.
I O U 1 :)

Have a nice week Anita,

Tristan Rault

Wow Anita,

that is way more info than I expected!
You are awesome, I am very thankful to you
Let me know if there's anything I can do for you from Argentina, I owe you one now :)

Have a wonderful weekend (almost there!)
Regards,
Tristan

Dear Tristan

No, thanks.

Collecting antique is fun with excitment when you found out the history behind it. And I love people who have the same passion of collecting asian antiques, helping each other is the best way to learn something we have ever known.

Have fun
Anita Mui

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