**Originally Listed At $4000**
East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A stunning pair of hand-carved sandstone pedestals skillfully decorated with ornate floral motifs in low to high relief and both featuring heads of snow lions on each corner and figural tondos on one side. Rendered with impressive detail, the lovely felines all look upwards, each framed by intricate wings and presenting rounded snouts, pointed ears, bulbous eyes, and slightly open mouths with clearly delineated teeth. Three sides of each pedestal are adorned with central friezes of flowers, roses, or potted plants, while the fourth is embellished with a scene featuring two figures. Both friezes display one standing attendant and one seated noble person with a maze-like background. The first figural frieze shows a queen or noblewoman dressed in robes and a tiara sitting on a chair. A male attendant in a conical hat stands behind her, swaying his body as though dancing and placing both his hands on her chair. Size: 15" L x 15" W x 15" H (38.1 cm x 38.1 cm x 38.1 cm)
The second shows another seated person of nobility topped with a crown and resting one leg upon the knee while waving a circling rope. An attendant with a high ponytail stands behind the chair, leaning backwards as if avoiding the lassoing rope behind. A flat circle is displayed on the top of both pedestals, while the entirety of each side is filled with intricate, swirling floral patterns.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960 to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#162592
Condition
One snow lion missing head and another has repair to snout. Expected nicks/chips, abrasions, and softening of detail on relief, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with lovely mineral deposits throughout.