Carved Gray-Green Stone Buddhist Lion (Shishi) with Ball
Name/Title
Carved Gray-Green Stone Buddhist Lion (Shishi) with BallEntry/Object ID
SC1201Description
Chinese carved figural group worked from translucent gray-green ornamental stone with olive-brown to russet color concentrations. The compact composition depicts a stylized Buddhist lion (shishi) in an animated upright or crouching posture, its head raised and mouth open, accompanied by a prominent spherical ball. Additional scrolling and elongated carved forms rise around the animal and are joined to the principal figure through pierced and undercut passages. The carver has incorporated the naturally darker areas of the stone into several projecting details, providing contrast against the predominantly gray-green body. Carved substantially in the round with pierced openwork, incised details and polished surfacesType of Sculpture
Free StandingArtwork Details
Medium
Jade-like hardstoneSubject
Stylized Buddhist lion (shishi) with spherical ball and associated scrolling/ornamental elementCategory
Chinese carved stone
Made/Created
Artist
Maker presently unidentifiedTime Period
37th centuryEthnography
Cultural Region
Continent
AsiaCulture/Tribe
Chinese