Featured asian water buffalo or bull with wings

As a kid (over 35 years ago!) i bought this wooden ornament of a winged water buffalo (or is it a bull?). One horn was missing, and I made a new one myself and treasured it ever since.
I always kind of intuatively thought it was probably Balinese, and an ornament from a cupboard or something. But never really found any substatiating information. So after all these years i hope some of you can help me really pinpoint its origin and use.
The association with Bali is probably because it reminds me of the bull coffins they use in cremations. They are not winged however. The measurements are 22 x 13 x 5,5 cm.
Also curious about the mythological/religious meaning of this creature.

 

Others will correct me or know more, but one frequently sees winged figures in Balinese import shops - flying pigs, elephant-fish, dragons, cats, goddesses. They can be hung as mobiles over a cradle, for example.
The tradition I've heard is that they are demon-chasers, hung up to scare away demons who might harm a baby or other household-members. But in contemporary times, probably mostly just sold to the import market as decorative items.
Yours does look to have some age, and is likely from Bali or Java, I'd think.

"The Flying Winged Spirit Guardians (also sometimes called "Cradle Guardians") myth goes all the way back ancient Majapahit Mythology, the roots of Balinese culture and art.

These Guardian figures are still produced by Balinese artisans today for they have deep cultural & spiritual significance. Typically these carvings have been used in temples or homes since ancient times to ward off evil spirits. They are always hung in a high spot, or if a statue placed on a beam or shelf looking down towards a door or window. Many types may be found from flying angels (known as "Dewi" which means "Goddess" in Balinese), animals or strange hybrids, such as head of a horse head & tail of a fish, or "Gajamina" head of an elephant & tail of a fish. It is believed that a Flying Guardian placed in ones home or sacred space will drive away evil spirits and protect the premises from harm." (quoting Arcadia World Traders Co.)

 

looks like a goat...or sheep

 

I like your response Komo, but see, I kind of see a winged dog, to me!!! I also think it's pretty neat and looks like you @JohnNL did a pretty good carving job on the horn!!!!!

 

dogs have more claws...nails.....and their nose is an outie...not an inie...
so ...i don't see a K9.......just me being me !

 

Plus.......the beard......the backwards ears.....Oh...& the striated horns

if'n ya see where I'm goin with this !

 

I do......You REALLY DISSECTED IT......Well, I just figured the horns were the Mythology part along with the wings

 

the wings I can't account for............

 

It is a gorgeous carving, John, I can see why you bought it.
I don't see any Balinese connection, and we have Balinese carvings in every room of the house.
I've seen that kind of decoration and dull lacquer-like paint before. India, Rajasthan maybe? Maybe it'll come back to me.
It looks like a mythical creature, it has dog-like paws, and the horns are turned back to front. Balinese Nandi carvings always have hooves. Nandi is the heavenly brahmin bull, mount of Shiva.

Balinese winged carvings were made with big, slightly outstretched, detachable wings like my Garuda:


The wings are big to emphasize the heavenly nature of the creature. They are always like bird wings (just like angels), except for some Nagas. The wings on your carving resemble bat or reptile wings.
Detachable wing of the Garuda, you shove it into the slot next to the elbow:

 

A genetically modified goat! Apart wings, it has scales on the body... fingers not hooves, and the horns pointing forward

 

Ha, again, agree with your zoological observations, AJ

 

I guess it is a nicely done dragon-dog-bull-goat with a bad horn day.

 

I've been looking at hybrid creatures in Hindu mythology. So far didn't find anything resembling this one. I am currently halfway down this page, but my eyes won't cooperate anymore, so if anyone else would like to give it a try:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_in_Hindu_mythology

 

John, let's say for the moment we don't know exactly what the hell it is....BUT...it's very nicely carved and very expressive !!!

 

Wow, one day off-line and so many reactions. Thnx everybody!

 

All your different views on the zoological aspects have been very enlightning. I always thought of it as a bull or water buffelo, but it defenitely has claws, no hoofs!
Actually all your proposals make sense. I would like to add another possibility. Could it be a pixiu, a chinese mythological lion with wings and antlers (sometimes represented as horns in statues) that wards off evil and prevents wealth from flowing away? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixiu

 

This kind of simple Balinese sculpture (fisher boat) made me think my sculpture might be Balinese, AJ. But resemblance very loosly, I agree.

 

It reminds me a gargoyle

 

Sorry no, it couldn't. A Pixiu is depicted in different ways, but never remotely like this. The essence of a Pixiu is its behind. It has to show that it has no aperture through which riches can flow away. (Said that lady-like didn't I.) A Pixiu is a dragon, by the way, not a lion.
There are several threads on Pixiu or including Pixiu on the forum. You can look them up through the search option in the top right hand corner of each page.

 

I'm just thinking of the carvings I see in import shops featuring items with "Made in Bali" stickers, and the blurbs on similar web sites; so not saying there is a connection to real Balinese mythological creatures. More to the level of carvings one finds in the import shops.....flying frogs are quite common, for example. Those dealers or their customers seem to like winged pigs, winged cats, winged elephants.....
and as with many contemporary imports from Bali, the carvers are heavily influenced by carvings from other cultures; really, whatever sells. (Tall skinny Santas are not traditional Balinese figures either, yet the import shops are full of them.....)
So I'm just speculating that winged goats might possibly be from around there also. But other ideas are welcome, I'm sure.