Lot 210. A rare white-glazed 'Lion' incense burner and a cover, Tang dynasty (618-907), 17.5cm, 6 7/8 in. Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 GBP. Lot sold 6,875 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's. 

the globular lotus base carved in high relief with three rows of overlapping petals and raised on a high domed foot, the domed cover surmounted by a large seated lion, the ferocious beast with large bulging eyes and jaws open to reveal a set of sharp teeth, covered overall with an ivory-white glaze. Quantity: 2.

Provenance: CK 100

Exhibited: Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 346.

The World's Great Collections. Oriental Ceramics, vol. 8, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 64.

Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, The Museum of Art and Far Eastern Antiquities in Ulricehamn, Ulricehamn, 2002, pl. 550.

Sotheby's. Masterpieces of Chinese Precious Metalwork, Early Gold and Silver; Early Chinese White, Green and Black Wares, London, 14 May 2008