清十八世紀 白玉雕太獅少獅擺件

the substantial stone skilfully worked in the form of a pair of nuzzling Buddhist lions, each rendered with round bulging eyes below thick brows and mane defined in tight curls, its back with well-pronounced bosses along the spine terminating in a bushy tail, the smaller cub potrayed endearingly resting its front paws on the back of the elder lion, the latter with one paw on a brocade ball with a long ribbon depicted trailing along the underside, the stone of a pale celadon-tinged white colour with faint icy and grey inclusions, wood stand

倫敦佳士得1993年12月6日，編號191

Good overall condition, with just minute nicks to the extremities.
"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."

此白玉太獅少獅，玉質澄淨，尺寸甚大，雕刻精細，活現俏皮之態，令人愛不釋手，實為罕珍。玉獅雙爪相扣，皮毛分明，脊梁凹凸有致，活靈活現，展現匠人之高超技藝。玉雕動物擺件，或坐或臥，置士大夫書房之中，文玩、鎮紙皆宜。

參考兩玉雕臥獅例，售於紐約蘇富比1986年4月10/11日，編號236。另比較一例，售於紐約佳士得2011年9月15日，編號1008。布倫戴奇舊藏且有一品，尺寸較小，現藏舊金山亞洲藝術博物館，展於《Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing》，The Asia House Gallery，紐約，1980年，編號54。且有一例，曾售於紐約佳士得1987年6月4日，編號95。北京故宮博物院還有一玉雕太獅少獅，錄於楊伯達，《華夏古玉》，香港，1997年，圖版54。

早於漢代，已有獅子雕刻，歷史悠久，初時多為浮雕，隨佛教傳播得以發展，置於佛寺、殿堂入口，以保平安。自唐朝始，石獅成對而飾，雄獅一爪置於圓球之上，母獅伴有一幼獸，至明清時期，獅子以活潑形象呈現於眾，廣受喜愛。