A Pair of Porcelain Models of Chinese Lions
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A Pair of Porcelain Models of Chinese Lions

ARITA WARE, KAKIEMON TYPE, EDO PERIOD (LATE 17TH CENTURY)

Details
A Pair of Porcelain Models of Chinese Lions
Arita Ware, Kakiemon Type, Edo period (late 17th century)
The powerfully modelled animals vividly enamelled in iron-red, green, yellow, black and blue enamels
4 7/8in. (12.5cm.) long (2)

Lot Essay

The shishi or karashishi derives from the Chinese lion-dog and is generally found in a pair at the entrance to a shrine. The male is usually depicted with open jaws.

For other models, see John Ayers, Oliver Impey and J.V.G. Mallet, Porcelain for Palaces: The Fashion for Japan in Europe, 1650-1750, exh. cat. (London: Oriental Ceramic Society and The British Museum, 1990), pl. 167 (The Burghley House Collection, Stamford Lincolnshire), the pair mounted on drum-shaped bases; Soame Jenyns, Japanese Porcelain (London: Faber and Faber, 1965), no. 62b; and Mark Hinton and Oliver Impey, Flowers of Fire: Kakiemon Porcelain from the English Country House, exh. cat. (London: Christie, Manson and Woods, 1989), no. 24.

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