Help to identify monkey and bird statues

[smoketree]

I have two stone statues that appear to be Japanese in origin/theme. They are of a reddish stone material and measure approximately 8 to 10 inches long, 6 inches high and 2 inches deep. The theme of the carving is a mass of monkeys and birds that appear to be stealing food from urns and sharing it. I know they are at least 70 years old but not sure of an exact age. I will try to get a picture posted. In the meantime would anyone have thoughts on these statues as to what they may be or the purpose of them?

[railman44]

Pictures?

[smoketree]

Here is a picture of the smaller of the monkey/bird statues. The other is somewhat bigger and the stone blends into a whitish color on the right side. I do not have a picture of it at this time but will post one soon as I can. Thanks.

[D&b antiques]

I would suggest, there soap stone & Chinese.

[smoketree]

I think that they are soapstone as well. I had a Chinese man's opinion once that they were not Chinese as he did not think the monkeys and birds were  of Chinese design. He was the one that suggested that they were Japanese and also suggested that they could be brush holders, as to their function. The urns are hollow and that is a possibility. I appreciate all comments and hopefully can eventually find out exactly what they are used for or their function. I thought they were possibly bookends as my guess.

[KC]

Sending it to my Asian friends/experts to see what they have to say.....

[ironlord1963]

I was thinking it could be Jasper, It looks kinda like some Jasper stones I have.

[smoketree]

I Thank all of you very much! I will try to get a photo of the other piece soon. Right now I don't have a digital and will need to have a friend photograph it. I've also got three clay bottles that were dug from an old shipwreck back in the 50's or early 60's by my Great uncle that operated a dredge on the Great Lakes. One bottle I found out about and is an early to mid 1800's Bols Spirits bottle from Amsterdam. The other is from Edinburg. The third has no markings. Will have photos of them when I can get the monkey/bird statue pictures taken and will post seperately. Thank all of you again..

[KC]

Got this site from a friend who says it might help with id'ing

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/monkey-saru-koushin.html

[smoketree]

Here is a picture of the other statue..sorry it is not of the best quality. Thank you KC for the link..very interesting.

[fancypants]

Thanks for all the postings about your items , smoketree .

If you might get the chance  , sometime in the future , to post more images - could you post two of the back(s) of your items ; also , perhaps with a quarter or a ruler in the image to give a hint about scale ?

Thanks so much .