A BRONZE 'BOY PLAYING THE FLUTE ON A BUFFALO' INCENSE BURNERChina, Qing dynasty, 19th centuryModeled like a buffalo on the back of which a boy who plays the flute is sitting, incised details.17 cm highProvenance: ambassador Gerardo Carante.The motif of the young man playing the flute sitting on the back of a buffalo is a reference to a group of 11th-12th century Buddhist parables, according to which even simple activities like grazing oxen can lead to enlightenment.