Featured Gemstone? Nephrite? Anyone know what this is?

Hi all - Would anyone know what this stone is? I believe it was purchased in Hong Kong in 1990. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I suspect rather a nice kind of soap stone rather than jade... a discreet steel needle scratch test on the base will say (jade won’t be scratched).
Nice carving!

 

Thank you! It did scratch fairly easily with a needle...

 

The posting describing it said it was a "gem stone seal" crab carving... I thought that was an odd description with the use of the word seal...

 

It a blank for a soapstone seal/chop,the name was never carved on the bottom of the piece.

 

How big is it? Is that a crab carved on the top? What else is that carved on there?

 

Looks like a crab. Western Zodiac made for export? I don't recall crabs as a standard Chinese design motif.

 

Chinese artist's chop. Not for export and not chinese Zodiac. Chops are common, decorated with carvings, and often the stone color variations are used in the carvings. I have several in my collection. Will upload some pics if any one shoes interest.

 

Oh, yes, please SHOW!

 

Sorry I responded yesterday not sure why it did not post - It is about 5 inches wide/tall with a crab only. I believe it was purchased in Hong Kong in 1990. It came from an estate with a huge asian collection - Massive jade pieces, etc. Most of which did not sell because it did not meet reserve. I am trying to sell this but want to classify and price correctly

 

I got this wooden box, which is gorgeous but I dont know anything about, at the same place.

 

Some additional pics if helpful