A RARE PAIR OF DOCUMENTARY TONGQI-WARE CREAM-GLAZED BUDDHISTIC LIONS

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A RARE PAIR OF DOCUMENTARY TONGQI-WARE CREAM-GLAZED BUDDHISTIC LIONS
WANLI MARK INSCRIBED ON BASE AND WITH THE CYCLICAL DATE, YIMAO YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1615, AND OF THE PERIOD

Modeled in mirror image, one with a ribboned ball under its paw, the other with a cub, each with a candleholder to one side, their tails and manes full and flowing, each raised on a waisted, rectangular base with dragon roundels on two sides and ogival panels on the others, with ridged, square columns at the corners, the underside left in the biscuit and inscribed with a long dedication, one with Wanli mark removed, damages--19in. (48cm.) high
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Lot Essay

These lions may belong to a group of tongqi ware figures made during the late Ming period in Tonganxian, Fujian province, most of which bear lengthy inscriptions referring to the temple for which they were made, when and where made, as well as the donor names. See a tongqi ware Buddha sold in these rooms June 4, 1992, lot 255