A cloisonné-enamelled and gilt-bronze figure of a lion. Kangxi

The cub cast seated on its haunches, body twisted to the left, head raised, playfully engaging something in its line of sight, its expressive face with mouth agape revealing rows of teeth above its curly beard, its body enamelled in shades of blue to represent fur, with larger tuffs of dark-blue and green fur lining its knobbly spine, its head covered with cloud-like spirals representing curls, its face, paws, tail and spine gilded, box. 16cm (6 1/4in) high. (2). Sold for HK$240,000

Footnote: Pairs of lions made of stone, or cast in bronze or iron were traditionally placed on either side of the entrance to important structures. The lions are always presented in pairs, with the female on the left and the male on the right. The male typically has a ball under his right front paw, and the female has a cub under her left front paw. It is possible that the present lot comes from such a pair of guardian lions. It's size and the way the cub's body is oriented is consistent with it being placed under the female's left front paw.

清康熙 掐絲琺瑯少獅

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 4 Dec 2008. Hong Kong. Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved