J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York

23.
A MASSIVE LIMESTONE GUARDIAN LION

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

with plump rounded body, shown crouching on short muscular legs in a lively pose with clawed feet clutching the rough rectangular base, the large head with blunt muzzle turned slightly to one side with bulging eyes set in a fierce gaze under thick brows, the forehead knobbed and the short pointed ears pinned back, the prominent nose deeply furrowed, the open jaws bordered by a scalloped beard radiating to repeating points, framed by a ribbed mane under the chin and continuing around the back of the neck, the segmented tail rising to six plumes splayed across the rump, the dark gray stone striated all over to simulate fur.

Height 33 x Depth 25 ¹⁄₂ x Width 18 ¹⁄₂ inches (83.8 x 64.8 x 47 cm)

明　青石瑞獅　高 83.8　深 64.8　寬 47 厘米