TANG DYNASTY, 7TH-8TH CENTURY

Details

A GREY LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A LION
TANG DYNASTY, 7TH-8TH CENTURY
The muscular lion shown seated with front paws firmly planted on the integral rectangular base, the head turned slightly to the side and the face carved with an intense expression created by the bulging eyes and the mouth open in a menacing snarl, the mane carved with overlapping curls and the long tail curled up the back, the smoothly polished stone of mottled silvery-grey tone
8 in. (20.3 cm.) high

Provenance

American private collection, in the United States prior to 1996.

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Lot Essay

This figure is stylistically similar to other small stone lions of Tang date that are also seated on a plinth, some with head turned, some with mouth open. Compare the brown-stained white marble lion of similar size illustrated by M. Sullivan, Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades in the Collection of Sir Alan and Lady Barlow, London, 1963, pl. 14 (no. S36), and one from the collection of Stephen Junkunc, III, sold at Christie's, New York, 21 September 1995, lot 300.

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