A Chinese Carved Jade Recumbent Water Buffalo

Ming dynasty (1368-1644), a very well carved buff colored nephrite jade water buffalo at rest, his legs are folded underneath his body with articulated hooves, the buffalo's head is slightly raised upwards, he has two curved horns above his ears, the underside has an old appraisal label.

1 3/4 x 3 x 1 5/8 in.

From the Collection of Adrienne and John C. Maxwell, Jr. John C. Maxwell Jr. assembled one of the most distinguished private collections of Asian art in the American South, with a particular focus on Chinese, Korean, and Japanese works spanning antiquity through the late imperial period. A financier and respected market analyst by profession, Maxwell developed his interest in Asian art during his military service in Korea in the early 1950s. What began as personal study evolved into a lifelong commitment to collecting, scholarship, and connoisseurship.

The collection formed by Maxwell and his wife Adrienne reflects Maxwell’s highly analytical eye and preference for works possessing strong historical character, refined craftsmanship, and clear cultural significance. Numerous objects from the collection together with their private library of 1,200 scholarly Asian art journals and books were gifted to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where they became part of the museum’s Maxwell East Asian Collection.

For a similar jade carving, see Christie's, New York, September 21, 2023, Lot 821.

Very good condition.

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