AN AGATE CARVING OF TWO BUDDHIST LIONS

18TH CENTURY

Details

AN AGATE CARVING OF TWO BUDDHIST LIONS
18TH CENTURY
The group is well carved with a recumbent Buddhist lion with curly mane and tufted tail, its head turned to face its playful cub. The details of its pronounced backbone and tail are finely rendered. The translucent stone is of greyish-brown tone with orangey-russet markings.
2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) wide

Lot Essay

According to T. T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, The Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 2006, p. 116, no. 5.17, the large lion (dashi) and a small lion (xiaoshi) form the rebus, 'May you and your descendant achieve high rank'.

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