Featured Ox (?) Ceramic Statue - Any Thoughts Please

I was completely out of my wheelhouse, while examining this statue of this horned, hoofed ungulate with very large legs. I am guessing an ox, but I really don't know. I was struck by the artist's use of glazes and colors to get various effects. The shape of the body is very interesting too. Since I know nothing about ceramic statues, I shouldn't have bought this but here we are. It appears to have a tiny mark on the bottom of one hoof, as well as a red stamp, and a partial stamped number. The only other thing of note is a small hole in the abdomen. It is 9 inches long and 6 3/4 inches tall.

Please I would appreciate any comments. I couldn't find anything like it on line

 

We would call this an 'oeros', a pre-historic cattle species, ancestor of European and Asian domesticated cattle breeds.
I believe the English use the German word: Aurochs.

To let hot air escape during the baking process, otherwise it would crack.
So it isn't full of hot air.

 

Perfect! This helps a lot in trying to track down who made this. Thanks very much for the search terms and his lineage

I have read that a small hole in ceramic statute production may mean a more quality production, but what do I know. I appreciate your comments very much!

 

Maybe an idea to search in countries where they have pre-historic rock or cave art depicting aurochs? France, Spain, Portugal.

 

Excellent. I had no idea that these countries were central to these pieces.

 

I don't know if they are, but I imagine something like this would be a perfect souvenir from a cave art region.
Just like ceramic Highland cows are charming Scottish souvenirs.

 

Anything would be helpful in searching this thing down. I'll try souvenirs. So far I can't find anything like it.

 

It could have been made by a French village potter who only sold from his small studio. There are many such potters and other craftspeople in rural France.