Can you identify this material...shell or rock?

I found this interesting sculpture but I can't tell what it is carved from. Since it is a marine animal (a manta ray) it probably comes from the Caribbean or Hawaii. It is signed but not with a name, just a footprint and date/number. The top is polished but the sides are still natural. Is it carved from volcanic rock, or some kind of shell? It measures 10" x 7" and is really heavy. Thanks for any help.

 

First look I also thought it was some kind of shell. But I guess its some kind of stone. Could be alabaster or marble?.

If others agree on this than you can do some test to establish what it is.

Put a drop of vinegar on a piece that will not come in sight. If it bubbles than its marble.

 

Maybe if you could locate the carver who used a barefoot mark in 1991 it would help. Since it is copyrighted, it could be a composite material.

 

I think we have seen here a "ceramic" mark that is a footprint.

 

Was it ceramic or metal.
I remember I made a silly comment about it being Foot made instead of Hand made.

 

Found what I remembered, but it was a painted one, not an impression of a foot. Carry on!

 

Wonder if the artist's name is Foote.
I've found quite a few, but only went through the first 4 or 5 that popped up. I didn't find a match.
You might want to give it a try.

Adding:
Should have said sculptor, not artist, or you will get all the painters as well.

 

14 / 100......makes it a reproduced mold ...

 

with an edition mark of 14/100.....I have to believe the material is something that can be replicated. I don't think it would be marble or even stone.

 

sniped by Komo

 

It absorbed the vinegar, so I guess it's not marble. Thanks.

 

I know. It seems unlikely that a sculptor would make 100 of the same piece. But it certainly feels like natural material like stone and it weighs 5 lbs.

 

Just throwing this out there as I have no idea.

The composite stone/resin they use for countertops. How is that made? Is it poured? Could this be that kind of material that looks like stone, but isn't.

Again, I'm just throwing this out as a thought.
Maybe @Hollyblue knows something about this.

 

Yup, some type of resin mix...you can clearly see the bubbles...

 

There was a thread not long ago with a California carver who has his pieces carved in China and Mexico.His carvings numbered in the hundreds.I do not know if this one is composite or natural stone,would need to identify maker and see his history to know.

 

Could we see the bottom?

 

OK, thanks for all the help. Turns out the name is Foot. “Foot Young” gallery, artist Sonya Moran, made of ‘cast marble’ in Australia, located at Hamilton island, Great Barrier Reef. Lots of googling, but I’ve found it. Thank you everyone!

 

It's made from "leftovers", ground up bits mixed with resin. It does make life easier on the artist.

 

That makes sense, since it is a ray. And I think Aussie stingray, no manta, it doesn't have those manta 'flaps' to the head.
I like it.

 

Thanks for coming back and telling us.

Did you see the prices on the Manta ray - A little different from your stingray. Wonder if the size is the same.

https://sonyamoran.com/index.php/gallery/cast-marble.html