Soapstone Thing Part 2

Ok, here it is...my pics. It is soapstone, or some kind of stone.

 

Base

 

So many things strike me as wrong about this. The smooth, symmetrical shape of the basic vase body vs the wobbly crude way the Greek key design it incised at top & bottom. The way all the decorative elements look applied, not carved from a single piece. The strange mix of decoration: roses, a rat, yin yang fish, dragon handles. The way the purple coloring is gone from high points. The way the underlying material looks white anyplace the finish is cut through. The conspicuous appearance of chisel marks on the bottom. The fact that it has the appearance of a vase but is not in fact hollow.

If it is solid all the way down from the depression in the top, I have no doubt it is quite heavy, cool to the touch. Maybe if I could handle it my opinion would change. For now, I simply cannot see this as carved stone.

 

I know from your other thread that you were excited to find this.
I believe it is a newer decorator item. Not old soapstone as you hoped.
Don't be discouraged. If you like it, display it.

Adding:
That's the whole purpose of collecting - to buy and use, or display that which pleases us.

 

Here is a similar vase.

https://www.ebth.com/items/6820056-19th-century-chinese-carved-soapstone-vase-with-figural-carvings

 

Thanks everyone for your input!