Lot 5064. A carved limestone 'lion' paperweight, Tang dynasty (618-907); 12.5 cm, 4 7/8  in. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 HKD. Sold for 81,250  HKD (9,614 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

carved with a recumbent mythical beast resting with its head resting between its front legs on a rectangular base, its head framed by a well defined mane and beard, its spine rendered with a subtly protruding ridge running along its back, its long swerving tail extending along the edge of base, the stone patinated to a greyish-brown colour.

Provenance: Collection of Montague Mayer.
Christie’s London, 14th April 1980, lot 52.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th April 2015, lot 2895.