Featured Curious lid

I found this at a sale a year of two back and had to have it. Seemed to be flying solo when I found it. I’ve assumed it’s a lid to a box. I guess it could be a stand alone piece. I’d have loved to see it in situ before the estate sale company came in. Maybe it fit something that got sold separately or tossed. Or maybe not, who knows. Anyways I’ve always thought it was baleen, does that seem right? I assume the elephant is stone. I can’t think of the name of the stone at the moment that I’ve always thought it was. It’s driving me crazy. Just about 8” long. The only baleen boxes I’ve seen have been made by Anglo sailors. A stone elephant doesn’t really fit in with the style of them. I know some coastal tribes use baleen but the elephant doesn’t fit there either. I guess it could be a mammoth representation. For some reason the thing gives me a kind of Siberian vibe but that may be nonsense. Any thoughts?

 

I think of baleen as more stringy and narrow, more animal-fiber-looking. Unless you think it's been processed somehow?

 

I've seen these before.... but yours is a rather large and thick slab..... & I can't say it's baleen...

 

this is thicker....but doesn't line up with what you have... imo

 

Were you thinking of Shoushan stone? That is what it looks like, but I will tag @shamster for you just to be sure.

 

It could be a married piece

 

I’m not sure, but I did find some similar elephants on Chinese ebay described as Chinese export

 

No, but you’re not wrong about that being a good option.

 

I was thinking a box in this vein. It may not be baleen but that was the only thing that made sense to me.