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PROPERTY FROM AN AMERICAN PRIVATE PROVENANCE Although the lion may have been introduced from
COLLECTION India to China with the spread of Buddhism from
Collection of Larz Anderson (1966-1937), an
A LARGE BRONZE BUDDHIST LION American diplomat serving in Europe and Japan, as early as the 1st century A.D., the motif of a lion
MING DYNASTY and his wife Isabel Weld Perkins (1876-1948), an with a ball appears to have originated during the
author and Boston socialite. Southern Song (1127-1279) and Jin (1115-1234)
well cast standing on its hind legs and pouncing Collection of Elizabeth Burr (d. circa 1970), periods. The brocade ball signi$ es that this is
on a ‘brocade’ ball with its forelegs while twisting Boston, Massachusetts. a male lion and together this motif symbolises
to the left from the chest, the head cocked with Collection of Charles Frederick (d. 2003), Boston, the wish for success in achieving high rank and
an open-mouthed grimace exposing the fangs Massachusetts, and thence by descent. longevity. Such $ gures were often produced in
and tongue, the lively expression accentuated by pairs, with a lioness resting her paw on a cub, to
Particularly rare for its monumental size, the
raised ears, bulging eyes, and great curls of fur ward o* negative energy.
present piece skilfully captures the strength
at the brows and chin, the bushy ! ame-shaped
and vitality of Buddhist lions. Related $ gures of $ 60,000-80,000
tail extending the movement in its upward sweep, a Buddhist lion and ball are well known but in
tufts of coiled fur emerging from the muscular ׼ ზН๸Ꮥᔐଢᓖ΁
much smaller proportions; a gilt-bronze $ gure,
body at the mane and legs, the ball with a central
dated to 1587, with only its left paw resting
band of ! oral scroll and radiating sections of Ը๕
upon a reticulated ball, was sold in these rooms,
alternating clouds and mythical beasts (2) 23rd October 1979, lot 104; and a much smaller Larz Anderson 1966 1937 ϗᔛdಀމߕ਷̮
Length 40 in., 101.6 cm ʹ֜ታᆄݲʿ˚͉d˃ɛ Isabel Weld Perkins
version, also cast with both paws on the ball, was
1876 1948 މЪ࢕ʿتɻ཭ٟʹΤధ
sold in our London rooms, 7th March 1980, lot 30,
and again, 1st November 1985, lot 423. Elizabeth Burr ஻ߒ1970 ϗᔛdتɻ཭d௦޲
Charles Frederick ஻2003 ϗᔛdتɻ཭d
௦޲dϤܝ࢕ૄෂו

IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 187