A RARE PAIR OF MARBLE SEATED LIONS TANG DYNASTY

each powerfully carved figure seated on its haunches with its muscular front paws firmly planted on the rectangular base, the head facing forward with mouth open in a roar showing the teeth and up-curled tongue, the ears flattened back above the long, curling mane, the smooth stone with a warm ivory patina.

Acquired in Asia during the second half of the 19th century and thence by descent.

The lions are in good condition with the exception of the repair of one ear, minor nibbles to the edges of the manes and chips and nibbles around the corners and sides of the bases.
"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."

Stone sculptures of lions have traditionally been a symbol of power and during the Tang Dynasty pairs of lions were placed inside tombs as guardian figures. A similarly rendered marble lion supported on a triangular plinth was sold in these rooms, 14^th December 1976; one was sold at Christie’s London, 10^th July 1978, lot 163; and a third lion, modelled with a curling mane and more muscular forelegs, from the collection of Miss Alice Boney, was included in the exhibition The Arts of the T’ang Dynasty. A Loan Exhibition Organised by the Los Angeles County Museum from Collections in America, The Orient and Europe, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, 1957, cat. no. 43.

Lions of this type were produced in different sizes, forms and materials; for example a smaller puddingstone seated lion, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, was included in the exhibition Chinese Buddhist Sculpture from the Wei through the T’ang Dynasties, National Museum of History, Taipei, 1983, cat. no. 32; and a slightly larger stone figure was sold in our New York rooms, 19^th March 2007, lot 123.