A Small Bronze ‘Buddhist Lion’ Paperweight Late Ming / Early Qing Dynasty

naturalistically cast in the form of a reclining Buddhist lion with a curly mane, its front paws outstretched, its head turned back across its right shoulder towards its curved bushy tail, covered by a loose blanket thrown over its back, decorated with a central stylised floral design on a punched ground, echoed as a frame on either side, with tassled ends, the naturalistically cast underside incised in kaishu with an apocryphal two-character Xuande mark

Collection of Robert Hall, prior to 1975.
Mary and George Bloch Collection.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 23rd October 2005, lot 47.

General surface wear, but overall in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Like so many of the small objects for the scholar’s studio, this would have been primarily intended as a paperweight, but would also serve as an occasional brushrest for a single brush if necessary. The wear is extensive and natural, delightfully softening the relief details and in the more prominent places smoothing away even the incised lines depicting hair.

Few Xuande reign-marked paperweights are likely to date from the reign.  It is more likely that the popularity for Xuande-marked incense burners led to a post-Xuande profusion of paperweights, some of which were given Xuande reign marks.  The writing of the second character here, with its additional stroke above the ‘heart’ element, is in any case a later version as during the Xuande reign, the character was invariably written without it, while the additional stroke was more widely used later in the Ming dynasty and into the Qing.

For another bronze paperweight of similar size, but in the form of a mythical beast with the head of a horse and a goat-like beard, see the example from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2013, lot 168.