This is a finely carved buffalo horn junk on an ebonised wooden plinth, Chinese late 19th century. There are four figures - three women, two of whom are sitting on round seats around a low table supporting an incense burner, and a male pilot using a punt to propel the boat, all carved in exquisite detail. The plinth was carved to create an illusion of water with waves lapping at the side of the boat.

Dimensions:

Width 34 cm

Depth 7 cm

Height 14 cm

Condition: There is some damage to the canopy on the stern of the boat - at some point in its life it must have broken off as the glue lines are observable on the starboard side and a small piece of the canopy support is missing on the port side. The plinth is chipped in one place but this is only visible from the reverse side. However, it displays very well and the damage is not easily spotted.