Lot 693. A rare Cizhou-type white-glazed 'lion' pillow, Northern Song dynasty (960-1126). Length 12 5/8  in., 32 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot Sold 8,750 USD. © Sotheby's.

well modeled in a recumbent pose, the head with furrowed brows and protruding eyes accentuated with dark-brown slip, resting alertly on the extended front paws, the flowing mane swept back to either side and the long tail curling to one side along the back haunches, the slightly concave top elegantly incised with foliate scrollwork, the creamy-white slip covered with a transparent glaze, the base unglazed.

Provenance: Collection of Kate Sturges Buckingham (1858-1937).
Gifted to the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, in memory of her sister Lucy Maud Buckingham (1870-1920) in 1924 (acc. no. 1924.304).

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 11 september 2019