Description: Bronze
China, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
The guardian lion is spiritedly cast in a classical posture with his left paw resting atop a brocade ball, symbolizing the cosmic pearl. The outsized head of the beast features bulging eyes beneath curled eyebrows, the ears upright in a horn-like fashion and the back and sides showcase a masterly incised arrangement of snail curls forming the mane.
The strong body is dressed in elaborate trappings suspending tassels, bells and bows. From the bow at the back a Buddhist double-knot is suspended, functioning as a removable lid to the vessel.
Shape: Figural shape
Dimensions: 22,5 cm (length), 22,5 cm (height)
Condition: Good condition with appealing natural patina
Provenance: Austrian private collection, acquired 1987 in our galleries in a Ming Bronzes special exhibition (scans of catalog entry enclosed with this lot)
Literature comparison: For two other censers in shape of Buddhist lions with harness and of the period see Sotheby’s, FINE CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 19 MARCH 2013 - 20 MARCH 2013, NEW YORK, lot 311 and lot 288.
十七世紀明代坐獅銅爐
青銅
中國,明代,十七世紀
精心鑄造的獅子以傳統坐姿,其左爪擱在象徵著宇宙的火珠上。 獅首巨大,在眉毛下方有凸起的眼睛,耳朵像喇叭一樣直立,背部和側面展示了精緻彎曲的鬃毛,強壯的身軀披著精心製作的流蘇,挂著鈴鐺。 佛陀雙髻從後面的垂下,作爲蓋子可以取下。
坐獅形
尺寸:長22,5 cm,高 22,5 cm
品相極好,包漿厚澤沉穩
奧地利私人收藏,1987年在本藝廊一次明代青銅器特別展覽中購買(附關於此拍品的目錄掃描)
文獻參考:另外兩件同時期帶盔獅形銅爐可見 蘇富比《中國精美陶瓷及工藝品》,2013年3月19-20日,紐約,311號及288號拍品。