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 Phoenix, the backside is plain. The stone shows signs of intense use; there’s considerable damage to edges and corners. The protruding part at the right has been broken off and re-fastened. Dim.: WxDxH 34x11x22cm.