A Pair of Turquoise and Aubergine-Glazed Buddhistic LionsQing dynasty, 19th century
Molded in mirror image seated on their rear haunches on pierced and stepped pedestal bases, the female with a cub clambering to her right foreleg, the male with his left paw on a pierced ball, both looking to the side with wide open mouths, their tongues in biscuit porcelain, the movable eyes separately molded, all under attractive unctuous glazes.
16 1/4in (42cm) high (2).注脚Provenance:
the Estate of Dr. Arthur and Ruth Sokoloff, Coral Gables, Florida

A similar pair of turquoise and aubergine-glazed lions of slightly larger size (19in. high), originally in the collection of the Prince de Condé in Chantilly at the end of the 18th century is illustrated in the catalogue, Musée Chinois de l'Impératrice Eugénie, Château de Fontainbleau, no.F1736 C. Another pair is illustrated by A.du Boulay, Chinese Porcelain (London, 1963), pl.74, although the size is not mentioned. Another pair (20 in. high), was offered at Christie's London, 5 June 1972, lot 63. See also a pair offered at Bonhams, London, 8 November 2012, Lot 101.

In Chinese art, a lion playing with a brocade ball and another playing with a cub represent the wish 'may you and your descendants achieve high rank' (taishi shaoshi).