Japanese Figure Depicting Cow

Admire a calm lying beast with folded legs has settled in for the afternoon.

This cast iron figure of a cow is from Japan, and dates to the mid 20th century. Small animal figures in metal are often made as paperweights, desk ornaments or garden pieces, and they are shaped to be stable and solid. Standing out, a resting animal with its legs tucked beneath it, the head raised and ears set wide. The surface is dark and finely granular, with creamy pale streaks across the back and neck and subtle incised lines at the haunch. It is 4.5 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 2 high.

Utterly at ease, and not about to get up for anyone.