17TH-18TH CENTURY

Elaborate cloisonné enamel animal buddhist lion figures of this large size appear to be quite rare, and it is very unusual to find examples with the the large ‘brocade’ ball supported on the back of each figure. For another rare figure of a mythical beast with curling horns, of similar size (67.3 cm. wide) to the present pair, and with similar treatment of the tail, the markings on the body and the gilt-bronze paws, see Colorful, Elegant and Exquisite, A Special Exhibition of Imperial Enamel Ware from Mr. Robert Chang’s Collection, Suzhou, 2007, no. 24.