A PAIR OF 'BLANC-DE-CHINE' DEHUA BUDDHIST LIONS, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

each seated on its haunches, with one foreleg raised over a pierced ribboned brocade ball, one with her cub to the side, the large heads with bushy brows and open jaws holding fluttering ribbons in their teeth, each beast adorned with a collar of bells, the mane and spine applied with sprig-moulded locks of hair and smaller curls, the high rectangular plinths applied with flowering prunus boughs

Lion One: Several firing cracks on plinth extending over exterior, tail and end tufts missing, tips of three applied mane strands chipped off; part of ribbon missing; chip to interior left ear; small chip upper edge of right ear; small chip under right paw; overall glaze crackle Lion Two: Firing cracks on the interior plinth one extending onto exterior; upper part of body restuck to lower part - across chest and back; claws of left forepaw chipped off; tips of four applied mane strands and ribbon chipped off; large chip off right ear
"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."

Compare with a pair of lions bearing an inscription datable to 1644 illustrated by P.J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, the Porcelain of Tehua in Fukien, London, 1969, pl 74A, and another pair in the Meiyintang Collection, illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994, no. 1006