Stone carving

Am I allowed two posts on one day? I hope so -- and I also hope to find out more about these cute (or ugly?) guys. I don't have any background information, they were languishing on a shelf at my mother-in-law's.

The item weighs around 1.66 kg (3.5 lbs) and the maximum dimensions LBH are approx. 21 x 7 x 16 cm (8 x 3 x 6 inches).

Once again, many thanks in advance.

 

There isn't a limit of posts per day that I'm aware of.

Looks like a soapstone brush washer to me. Many similar examples:

https://tinyurl.com/4oupdm5y

 

Wow. And of course thank you! Without antiquers.com I could probably have lived another six decades without learning that a brush washer was a thing.

 

hahaha

 

This isn't something we want to keep so I've popped it onto eBay and will let you know what happens. Thanks again.

 

word of warning...... that size..that weight.....that openwork in stone....makes that a very fragile piece for shipping..!

 

Chinese export soapstone carving, traditional motif, this one is medium quality, a little on the quickly-carved side of things. Older ones are more painstakingly carved.