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