Live Auction 19798The Collector: Live
A MASSIVE PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL BUDDHIST LIONS, ON PEDESTALS
Lot 266

A MASSIVE PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL BUDDHIST LIONS, ON PEDESTALS

20TH CENTURY

Closed19 May 2021

Price Realised

GBP 37,500

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A MASSIVE PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL BUDDHIST LIONS, ON PEDESTALS
20TH CENTURY
Each decorated with scrolling foliate motifs against a turquoise-blue ground, one with a paw placed protectively on its cub, the other on a brocade ball, each with collar hung with bell and seated on a plinth with diaper-pattern cloth set diagonally, above a stepped rectangular base on parcel-gilt and blue-painted plinths with applied Chinese characters above a scroll apron
The lions: 42 ¼ in. (107.5 cm.) high; 26 ¼ in. (66.5 cm.) wide; 33 ½ in. (85 cm.) deep
The plinths: 19 ¾ in. (50 cm.) high; 28 ½ in. (72.5 cm.) wide; 35 ½ in. (90 cm.) deep

Specialist note

Since ancient times, this great animal has been believed to possess great powers of protection. Often depicted in pairs, as in the current lot, the male playing with a brocade ball and the female with a cub; statues and figurines of these majestic beasts were placed outside important buildings and sites, such as Imperial palaces, tombs, government offices and residences of officials. There are for example, four great stone lions, amongst six other animal pairs, that line the walkway to the Ming dynasty Imperial tombs.