Topic: possible rock crystal rabbit.

[Paul S.]

Looking at the inclusions, colour and fissures it really does look like rock crystal  - and the modeling is quite good.   However, I expect someone will say these are coming in from Egypt or the Far East somewhere, and made last year.     Can't see any wear to the feet, so really no age I suppose.    Only 2" - 50mm long, but thought it was worth a punt - and from a boot sale so no great expense.         Please be gentle - I'm new at wabbits.

[Anne]

Not one I've seen before Paul, and I have a small collection of glass wabbits, so tend to keep an eye open for new ones. He does look well-modelled and is very sweet.

[rosieposie]

Please Paul, may I have a look at his bottom, well base, actually?

[Paul S.]

trying to be clever I probably over-cooked the contrast  -  it's not quite that dark in the flesh - so have included another side on view which shows the colour more accurately.
Also attaching a pic of the underside showing the rather clean feet  -  plus pic of the tail, showing a rather unusual series of chevron looking cuts.      I don't think there is enough wear for this to be old, so am assuming a recent made up object from somewhere.        thanks for looking by the way.

[TxSilver]

No idea, but what a cool rabbit. 

[Mosquito]

It's a lovely rabbit and yes, I do think it was made in the Far East last year! I see similar hardstone carvings here in China a lot. The rabbit is represented in the Chinese zodiac and, of course, rabbits were very popular at last year's spring festival as Feb. 2011 ushered in the year of the rabbit. 

[Ivo]

Could also be  mexico.. They do animals in what is called quartz - amazing workmanship. Also available in transparent green, and in black obsidian. The rabbit ' tochtli' features in aztec mythology.

[Paul S.]

thanks for the ideas....................must admit I had overlooked the possible Chinese connection of 'The Year of etc., and yes, it might also be quartz  -  I'm not too keen on scratching it to assess hardness........but whatever, it does have the look of a natural substance.   

[rosieposie]

Hi Paul, thanks for the extra pics which I also agree confirm this is rock crystal,  and very nicely carved as well. I have some semi precious and quartz crystal carvings in my crystal collection, but yours is one of the nicest I have seen.
If you copy and paste to this eBay link in Google,and click on it,  you will see many other quartz crystal carvings... but just don't scroll down too far!!

Excellent Natural Quartz Rock crystal Rabbit Carving | eBay

It is the first listing on the page.

[chopin-liszt]

There are loads and loads of small carved animals around in semi-precious stone- either from the far east or Mexico. I see them in the modern goods bits of antique centres, gift shops etc.
They retail at around £12.
I've got an agate pig and a jasper hippo.