Carved Gray Stone Recumbent Lion-Like Auspicious Beast
Name/Title
Carved Gray Stone Recumbent Lion-Like Auspicious BeastEntry/Object ID
SC1501Description
Chinese carved mottled gray stone figure of a recumbent lion-like auspicious beast, modeled with a compact rounded body, broad curled ears, short muzzle, four distinctly carved pawed feet and scrolling decorative details along the sides. The upper body is worked with additional incised and relief decoration, while the underside clearly defines all four paws with parallel incisions indicating the toes or claws. The stone is mottled charcoal and gray with irregular pale inclusions and has been smoothly polished. A perforation at the rear accommodates an attached cord, bead and tassel of uncertain date. The precise identity of the beast remains undetermined; although exhibiting leonine characteristics, the available features do not securely establish identification as a Buddhist lion (shishi) or a specific named Chinese mythical beast.Type of Sculpture
Free StandingArtwork Details
Medium
Jade-like hardstoneSubject
Recumbent four-footed auspicious/mythical beastCategory
Chinese carved stone
Made/Created
Artist
Maker presently unidentifiedTime Period
20th CenturyEthnography
Cultural Region
Continent
AsiaCulture/Tribe
Chinese