A pair of mythical lions, Sri Lanka, dated in 1848, first half 19th century

carved of ebony as mythical lions with stylised fur, facial details including ivory-set eyes with horn pupils and an open mouth with ivory teeth and rubber tongue, the elaborately carved stand with foliate design, either side with a seated figure of the goddess Lakshmi holding twin lotuses and flanked by female attendants, each set on the underside with an ivory plaque inscribed "S nicholas-madampa-1848-1-11"

Acquired, or commissioned by, Sir James Emerson Tennent, 1848 
By descent in the Tennent-Langham family, 1848-2004

Both in good condition, some flaking to paint around mouths and nostrils, minor cracks in wood on body, as viewed.
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Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804-69) was born in Belfast and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1824 he travelled to Greece, where as a fellow supporter of Greek freedom he met Lord Byron, publishing on his return 'Letters from the Aegean' (1829) and 'The History of Modern Greece' (1830).

From 1845 to 1850 he served as civil secretary to the colonial government of Ceylon under Lord Torrington. However his political career there was not a success but his increased fascination with the history of the island led to the publication of Ceylon: An Account of the Island: Physical, Historical and Topographical which was published in two volumes in 1859 and went through five editions in eight months. He was made a baronet on his retirement from the civil service in 1867 and he died at Tempo Manor, Co. Fermanagh.

The date on the base of each object, 1848, confirms that the lions were acquired by Sir James during his period in Ceylon.