Featured Soapstone Thing

So I don't want to jinx anything but I couldn't wait to find out what this is. I don't have it yet so I took pics of pics but I think they look ok for help. I bought this as a vase, but it doesn't go deep enough for a vase, AND on the inside you can see a couple marks. This is soapstone and stands 8" tall. Maybe an incense burner? Super excited and can't wait to get it. Has a wood base.

 

Does look like some kind of Chinese soapstone or other soft stone. Carving is...meh. What's interesting to me are what appear to be the lines from the natural crystal pattern of the stone/mineral on the base...clearer photos of the base when you receive it would be good.

Edit: see my next reply.

 

Looking again I'm staring to think it might be cast resin...again clearer photos and having the object in hand will tell.

 

Thanks Aaron. Do you know what its purpose is?

 

Other than being a jar of sorts...I couldn't guess a specific use, too big for a snuff bottle(not to mention. It's not a bottle), not the right shape for a censer/incense burner - at least ones I'm familiar with.

 

I'm afraid the scoring going various directions on the bottom look like they were done while the material was semi-liquid. Can't imagine why you would do this to the bottom of a stone piece.

 

Yeah I almost immediately thought better of my initial thought that it could be crystal structure. Leaning very strongly towards some type of resin/cast material.

 

Thanks Bronwen and Aaron. The base is suppose to be wood.

 

I'd call it a decorative vase, probably mid 20th century. The style is Chinese, but it could have been made elsewhere.

That strange staining and light coloured 'wear' on the parts that stick out are typical of resin pieces. That strange 'wobbly' look in the photo below is also typical of some resin pieces.
Sorry kraft, can't make it any prettier than it is. There is a market for these items though, and some fetch really nice prices.

It is most likely to be resin as well, just another colour and finish.

 

Thanks Any, it looks interesting enough.

 

Hello, to my eyes it is soapstone and more than likely made to look older.
Or done by a student carver, it is hand carved.