A PAIR OF 'BLANC-DE-CHINE' LIONS QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

each seated upon a rectangular plinth, the columnar forelegs held straight to lift up the large head with bulging eyes and snarling mouth securing a fluttering ribbon in its teeth, the mane and spine applied with sprig-moulded locks of hair and smaller curls

The pair of lions are is in good overall condition with the exception of: (looking right) a glaze frit to the edge of the mouth, a 5mm., diam chip to the corner of the base; (looking left) a 1.3cm., firing crack to the inside edge of the base and an associated 1cm glaze crack running up the front of the base, minor firing lines ribbon clasped in the jaws, a tiny chip to the tail; some minor firing imperfections and light glaze scratches to both. The lions are a slightly different colour and may well be a matched pair.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A similar lion with taper-holder bearing an inscription datable to 1644 is illustrated in P.J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, London, 1969, pl. 74A. while a larger pair, similar to the present example in lacking taper-holders, is in the Meiyintang Collection, illustrated Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994, no. 1006; and other variations are in the Hickley Collection, see Kerr and Ayers, Blanc de Chine: Porcelain from Dehua, Singapore, 2003, nos. 90 & 91, where they cite similar larger lions recorded in the inventory of Burghley House, England, by 1688.