Tiger figurine, carved from lapis lazuli

A tiger sculpture made of lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. Deep blue material with white calcite veins and golden pyrite inclusions, cut in classic big cat anatomy.

Afghan lapis lazuli from the Sar-e-Sang deposits is among the oldest premium minerals known in history. Tutankhamun's death mask already contains material from this province.

The deep blue color comes from the mineral lazurite. The white veins are intergrown calcite, and the golden dots are finely distributed pyrite. This three-mineral signature is the material characteristic of premium Sar-e-Sang lapis.

A compact display cabinet size. The tiger's pose follows traditional Asian sculptural anatomy for good luck and power symbolism.