A pair of Chinese gilt-bronze lions, 18th century

A pair of Chinese gilt-bronze lions

18th century

Two brightly-gilt lions with swirling ringlet manes, collars with flowing tassels and reticulated bells, and snarling growls sit proudly above intricate rectangular bases filled with geometric and floral motifs. One lion rests his regal paw on a ball, while the other plays with a young cub. (2).

H: 13 5/8, W: 7 7/8, D: 10 1/2 in. (H: 34.61, W: 20, D: 26.67 cm. (each))

Weight: 10900 g (approximately)

Provenance: Private estate, Atlanta, Georgia.

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This pair of majestic gilt-bronze lions sit solid and upright. Each eyebrow consists of three curling strands, and their chins are adorned with long, flowing beards, emphasizing their ferocity and wisdom. The lions' manes spiral like snail shells, densely covering the tops of their heads. On their backs they wear a knotted rope decorated with hanging tassels, which is very unique. The lions' tails curl up, sticking closely to their rears. Both lions wear a collar with ceremonial bells hanging on their chests and shoulders, each engraved with a dragon head design. Their limbs are muscular, and their claws are sharp. The male lion steps on an embroidered ball, which is decorated with ribbons on both sides, symbolizing order and control; the female lion holds a cub under her paw, with the cub's four feet facing upwards and its mouth biting the mother's toes, demonstrating its playful and endearing demeanor, while symbolizing the prosperity of offspring. The lions rest squarely on rectangular, lotus-patterned pedestals. Each pedestal is covered with an imitation of a coin-patterned brocade fabric, and the pedestal itself is decorated throughout with floral patterns. The central section of the bases is engraved with a ring of lotus petals, and the lower base features bas relief cloud patterns. This pair of gilt-bronze lions is lively, exquisite, and meticulously detailed, radiating a dignified and solemn aura, making them a rare collectible.

See below references for similar items: Palace Museum, No. 00000939 ; Beijing Poly Shenzhen, September 2021, Lot 593; Beijing Guardian Hong Kong, April 2015, Lot 683.

雙銅獅均呈前踞後蹲狀，莊嚴肅穆，神情威武，額頂隆起，怒目睜圓，濃眉掀鼻，振鬢長嘯。眉毛左右各三綹，頷下飾以須毛蜷曲。獅鬃盤旋如螺髻，密佈於腦後。背部繫有一繩結盤口，下墜流蘇，極爲特殊。獅尾上捲，貼於背部，胸前均以環帶懸垂鑾鈴，環帶正中浮雕龍首鋪首，肩部兩個各有一墜鈴。四肢肌肉健碩，趾爪鋒利。雄獅腳踏繡球，繡球兩側亦綴有緞帶爲飾，寓意掌握社稷；雌獅則爪按小獅，小獅四足朝上，口銜母獅足趾，憨態可掬，寓意子孫昌盛。銅獅下部配有長方形蓮紋寶座。蓋銅錢紋錦鋪，披巾與底座呈對角，四巾角垂於須彌座四面正中，四邊亦刻有精細的捲草紋。底座中部開光刻一圈蓮瓣紋，四麵以纏枝花卉裝飾，近底部淺浮雕捲雲紋，整件底座滿工雕刻，細緻入微，工藝精湛，獅子及底座整件鎏金，儘顯皇家氣勢。
本對作品屬案頭之器，置於家中各處既能彰顯貴氣，又能庇佑家中安寧，是爲不可多得之藏品。

相似藏品可參閱：故宮博物院館藏，編號故00000939；參閱北京保利2021年09月深圳拍賣，編號593；北京嘉德2015年04月香港拍賣，編號683
Condition Report: Both with wear commensurate with age, areas of loss and cracking to lower edge and underside, areas of repairs and replacements, and areas of gilt wear to edges.