A carved limestone figure of a lion, Tang dynasty | 唐 石灰石雕坐獅

A carved limestone figure of a lion

Tang dynasty

唐 石灰石雕坐獅

powerfully modeled seated on its taut haunches with the forelegs extended, the head turned to one side with the mouth open in a roar, the eyes crisply carved beneath bushy eyebrows, the thick mane falling in row of curls, both sides of the chest with prominently defined ribs, the long back tapering towards the hindquarters, the tail swept to one side, all supported on a rectangular base pierced with a central oval aperture

Height 8½ in., 21.6 cm