MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
LENGTH: 7.8CM
The finely carved lion is depicted with a curly mane around his floppy ears, a thick bushy tail, round intense eyes and bushy eyebrows resting on its haunches and clutching a brocade ball tied together by a loose ribbon held under his right paw. The lion is flanked by a small cub clambering on its backside while a slightly larger cub nuzzles along its left haunch. The jade is celadon in tone with russet splashes.
Two lions playing with a brocade ball symbolises the wish for the owner and descendants to achieve a high rank.
PROVENANCE
Zhirouzhai Collection
LITERATURE
Exquisite Jade Carving,
The University of Hong Kong,
Hong Kong, 1996, Catalogue No. 108
Chinese Jade Animals,
Hong Kong Museum of Art,
Hong Kong, 1996, Catalogue No. 149
明代青玉獅子滾球
