A pair of Chinese bronze lions on a pedestal

Early 19th century

H: 9 1/8, W: 6, D: 8 1/4 in. (lion only) (H: 23.18, W: 15.24, D: 20.96 (lion only))

Dimensions: H: 4 3/8, W: 10 1/8, 7 in. (pedestal only); H: 11.11, W: 25.72, D: 17.78 (pedestal only). Weight: 5650 g. (pedestal only)

Weight: 6650 g. (lion only)

Provenance: Mr. Larson, Colorado. Inherited from his grandfather.

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This exquisite pair of guardian lions sit upright, with powerful expressions. They have large, oblong heads, bulging foreheads, glaring eyes, and flaring noses. Their mane is coiled into small knobs, densely packed. On their chests are a belt of hanging tassels. Their limbs are strong, and their claws are sharp. The male lion steps on an embroidered ball adorned with ribbons, striking a lively posture, while the female lion plays with her cub. Under the lions is a rectangular Sumeru throne with carved ornaments on its sides. The thrones are tiled in repeating coin patterns and draped under a relief blanket, decorated by intricate coiled flora, hanging off of each side. Carved lotus petals encircle the center of the thrones, surrounded by tangled flowers. On the bottom of the thrones are intricate cloud reliefs. This pair of bronze lions are magnificent, with extraordinary craftsmanship and quality material. The disregard of expense signs indicates a probable imperial production. The rarity of imperial-produced guardian lions on the market contribute to their intrinsic value. Their shapes are very similar to those of the bronze guardian lions at the entrance of Yuanmingyuan. There is also a pair of similar wooden guardian lions in The Palace Museum.

The Palace Museum, No. 00000938 figure 1,

No. 00000939 figure 2;

Christie's, Hong Kong, November 2013, Lot 3582; Sotheby's, New York, March 2008, Lot 240; Beijing Poly, September 26, 2021, Lot 593.

此對銅獅呈前踞後蹲狀，神情威武。頭大臉闊，額頂隆起，怒目圓睜，濃眉掀鼻，振鬢長嘯。獅鬃盤旋如螺髻，密佈於腦後。胸前均以銅環懸垂吉祥須穗，四肢健碩強勁，趾爪鋒利，工藝精湛考究。雄獅腳踏繡球，姿態生動，繡球上亦綴有緞帶爲飾；雌獅與幼獅嬉戲，小獅憨態可掬。銅獅下配有長方形須彌寶座，每個側面都雕有紋飾。蓋銅錢紋錦鋪，四巾角垂於須彌座四面正中，皆刻有精細的卷草紋。底座中部開光刻一圈蓮瓣紋，四面以纏枝花卉裝飾，底部淺浮雕捲雲紋，雕刻入微，疏密有致。此對銅獅大氣恢宏，工藝甚精，規格頗高，從材料、制式抑或雕工來看，應出自宮庭造辦處之手，市面上極爲少見。其造型與圓明園大宮門之銅獅子極爲相似，故宮博物院有兩件木獅擺件造型及工藝也與其類似。

故宮博物院館藏，編號故00000938 見圖１、編號-故00000939 見圖２；佳士得拍賣2013年11月香港拍賣，編號3582；蘇富比拍賣2008年03月紐約拍賣，編號240；北京保利2021年9月26日拍賣，編號593。

Oxidation and minor abrasions commensurate with age.