A cowherd riding an ox is a celebrated motif seen in centuries of Chinese paintings and sculptures, although what is not commonly comprehended is the spiritual message in the symbolism. Here a joyous cowherd climbing on top of an ox, a symbolic representation o enlightenment. The highly detailed wood carving is modeled in affable planes of rounded edges, high hand polished to an unctuous mirror surface, culminating in an accurately observed natural and enlivened juxtaposition. Due to its age, there is a few thin splits but overall in good condition.