Lot 1068. A green-glazed figure of a Buddhist lion, Southern Song – Jin dynasty (1127-1234); h. 16 cm. Estimate: 80,000 - 120,000 HKD. Lot sold: 302,400 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

Note: The dating of this lot is consistent with the result of a thermoluminescence test, Oxford Authentication Ltd., sample no. C298j10.

This powerfully modelled lion is noteworthy for the loose brocade ball skilfully enclosed within its gaping jaws. Other Song dynasty figures of lions in this pose are recorded, such as a Xing ware figure of a lion, dating to the Northern Song dynasty, formerly in the Eumorfopoulos Collection and now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, illustrated by J. Ayers in Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, fig. 74. See also a larger amber-glazed figure of a lion sold at Christie's New York, 13th September 2019, lot 847.

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A very rare and superbly modeled large amber-glazed pottery figure of a seated lion, Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234); 13 in. (28 cm.) high. Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Price realised USD 75,000 at Christie's New York, 13th September 2019, lot 847. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019.

f. my post: A very rare and superbly modeled large amber-glazed pottery figure of a seated lion, Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234)

Sotheby's. Chinese Art Including Property from the Collection of Cheng Huan, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020