Lion Protome Red mottled sandstone Northern India, Kushan Period

A sculpture of the front half of a lion, the face with teeth bared, the tongue protruding and the almost human eyes wide open and alert, the once pointed ears are now missing, the chest covered with a furry mane and the front paws incised to indicate the muscular form of the beast.

J. R. Pons Collection, Spain, 1970's

The left side of the face and both ears are broken away. The left leg is broken off above the foot, the right leg is broken near the top. The surface sustaining small chips and scratches overall most notably the end of the tongue. Soil encrustation throughout. The back of the figure is unevenly cut away from original setting. There is a small hole in the top of the head. Otherwise the features are strong and in good condition. No restoration.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This figure would have been placed guarding the doorway to a religious or secular monument and is intended to be viewed from a frontal position and therefore only the front quarters are depicted. Beginning in the Maurya period the lion became an extremely popular motif and is used extensively in Indian art and architecture. In Buddhism the lion is the symbol of the Shakya clan from which Buddha Shakyamuni is descended and so it plays a major role in Buddhist iconography. There are numerous extant examples of guardian lions but this particular one, despite its fragmentary nature, has remarkable presence, the sculptor masterfully capturing the vigilant state of the animal as it appears ready to pounce at the first sign of attack. Compare to an example in the Mathura Museum, # 00.04.4, published in Ancient Sculpture from India, The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1964, fig. 67.