Chinese Temple Pillar with Man Riding Animal: Hand on Cap

Weathered figure emerges from a gray block, with a calm, rounded face.

This stone temple pillar with a man riding an animal and one hand on his cap is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 18th century. Stone is a long-lasting building material, and carved stone pillars with human and animal figures are a familiar element of traditional Chinese temple and tomb architecture. Upright carved form with a smooth, serene face under a banded cap, thick draped shoulders and arms folded in front. The lower body merges into a rough, pitted shaft, and the gray surface looks crusty and uneven. It is 9 inches wide, 9 deep and 36 high.

Eroded, thoughtful and not giving anything away at all.