A CARVED TIANHUANG 'LION' PAPERWEIGHT QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

the flattened pebble finely carved in the form of a recumbent archaistic lion with two playful cubs, the adult resting on its haunches with its head resting upon its forepaws, the head carved with bulbous eyes and bushy eyebrows below and two curled horns at the forehead, with its jaws partially open to reveal sharp fangs, sweeping back to finely incised undulating locks of hair, one cub clambering on its backside and the other nuzzling its companion's paw by the larger beast's left haunch, incised on the underside with the characters Shang jun, the translucent stone of honey-brown tone with deeper caramel-brown inclusions, fitted wood stand

A Private Japanese Collection.

There are nibbles to the edges of the carving, concentrated to the extremities. There is a nick to the bottom claw of one foot approx 0.2 by 0.2cm. There are veins and natural flaws running in the stone.
"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."

The large lion (dashi) and the cub (xiaoshi) represents the wish for one's descendants to achieve high rank (taishi shao shi).  The large lions and its cubs are puns for these high ranks in ancient China.   

The present piece represents the skills and technical achievement of the carvers at the time.  Although small in size, it is meticulously carved.  For a similar carving of a lion with its playful cub, compare a tianhuang seal signed Yuxuan, offered in these rooms, 1st November 1999, lot 498; and another sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1513.