A PAIR OF LARGE MARBLE BUDDHISTIC LIONS MING DYNASTY

each recumbent animal carved in mirror image and poised on its front legs, its head facing to the side and with a sash in its mouth, one with one cub perched on its back and another under its front left paw, on a rectangular base, the sides carved in relief with scrolling clouds

A Macau Private Collection, 19th century (by repute).

The pair of lions are in good overall condition with the exception of the following nibbles and chips and light overall hairline crazing to the stone; the lion on the right (as illustrated) has small chips and nibbles to the top of the nose, brows of the eyes and tips of the ears, a 8x7cm., chip to the front right lower corner of the base; the lion on the left has a 3x2cm., chip to the front left top corner of the base and a 15cm., crescent-shaped chip to the lower front edge of the base and nibbles to the tips of the ears.
"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."

The present pair of lions is particular striking for the rendering of their muscular body and intricately combed mane and hair. Traditionally associated with power, stone lions of this type were used as door guardians, placed in front of a main gate or entrance. Large stone animals stem from the Han dynasty (206 BC- AD 220) tradition of placing pairs of animals to line the spirit road leading to important tombs. The fabulous lion stood for strength and security, its decorated collar signifying its allegiance to its owner, and in the context of the spirit road it symbolised the power of the empire. This tradition continued until the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and large stone sculptures of lions are known lining the spirit road at the Mausoleum of the Hongwu Emperor (1368-1398) near Nanjing, Jiangsu province, the tomb of prince Jingfu (d. 1523) in Guilin, Guangxi province and the tomb of prince Lu Jian (d. 1614) in Xinxiang, Henan province, illustrated in Ann Paludan, The Chinese Spirit Road, New Haven, 1991, pls 234, 241 and 244.

This pair of lions is uncommon for its sensitive and somewhat playful modelling, as seen in the small cub perched on the back of the female, and no other closely related example appears to have been published. Compare a pair of similarly modelled recumbent stone lions sold at Christie’s New York, 20^th September 2002, lot 195.