A sandstone kang stone, used to close the oven's firing gate. Shanxi province, Gaoping or Changzhi county, 18th or 19th century. One side is decorated with a cat (nice and warm near the oven), the other side has been left plain. The �step� at both upper ends is much more typical for the 18th C. than for the 19th C. and I prefer the first. Afm.: WxDxH 38x14x29cm. Some wear and damage from use