Asian Flutist Statue cold to the touch

Greetings,

I found this yesterday. I have no idea of country or date.

I noticed that it's cold when I pick it up and rather heavy. I know that resin can be heavy but I remember reading that gemstones are colder than plastic.

It seems like it would shatter if I dropped it so I'm thinking intuitively it's not resin.

 

It's six and half inches tall by two inch square base.

 

Photo?

 

sorry not enough coffee, now I have proof....

 

Looks like it has a grain running through it. Bone/Ivory?

James.

 

I'm going for bone.

 

What's the texture were the legs connect to the body?

 

The texture is pretty uniform but it the legs do seem slightly duller.

 

6 1/2” tall, 2” square base, and you think fairly heavy..... Anyone?..... Do they ever add weight to resin figures??? I’M going on LOOKS ALONE, and I’M thinking she looks quite “waxy”, i.e. possibly resin????? BUT THAT’S JMHO!!! Have you weighed her??

 

Looks synthetic/composite to me. It looks like the figure is one piece with the square base, which I think would eliminate bone as an option. The bottom of the base might be diagnostic, but the photo is too blurry.

 

I just wanted to mention that I had an acquaintance who works a museum take a look and she said it's made of stone. Her specialty isn't this kind of antique though. My photo taking skills at times are delayed as I have to do other things but I was hoping this might help you give me some ideas on similar objects with known origins/makers/time periods.

 

mention that 1st..............coffee or no coffee........

 

I'm getting a synthetic/composite feeling also; there are many compositions that can be used in casting, and many do feel heavy or cold to the touch. The point about the base being all part of the same piece is significant; whether in bone, ivory or stone, that sort of square base would almost never be carved as part of the same piece, but would be added.
Since it is not, I'm inclined to think this is a cast piece.

 

There are cut marks/depressions at the point where the figure meets the base as if it is two pieces. It looks like the figure was placed in. Also, poured composites ceramics cannot have the fine degree of carving. It has the texture of a hard stone that was carved by something sharp not dull shallow marks. Both myself and the person from the museum have a background in moldmaking. It still may be what you say but it does have these features.

 

You do have the advantage of having the item in hand.

 

Sorry it took so long to get this up. A better picture of the bottom. I know nothing about the technical aspects of Asian pottery, so I would not be able to date something like this.

 

This figure seems to be similar, and is described as stone.The seller says this one is not dated, but that he has another one (not shown) marked 1980:

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m41231952866/

And these are described as soapstone, but the seller provides no proof for his dating them as early 20th century:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254474595884?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

IMO these are simple tourist pieces, made for sale/export, rather than traditional items with any significance.

 

Thanks! That solved the mystery, although not in the best way possible, lol.