The
lion does not exist in China, and over the years, with its
introduction into Chinese art in connection with Buddhism,
it has taken various fanciful forms, and is later called
Foo Dog. Lions are found at entrances to sacred buildings
as guardians of the law, and they watch protectively over
houses and tombs. Although the lion symbolizes bravery and
ferocity, in China it is often depicted at play, tumbling
a sacred gem or a ball. Old legends of the lion’s paws producing
milk prompted country people to leave out hollow or embroidered
balls for the mythical lions to play with, on which they
might deposit magical milk which could be gathered up. The
female lion is usually seen with its young, and the male
with the ball.
In
these matching ivories are male and female lion with curling
mane and bulging eyes; the female holding its cub beneath
one paw; the male with an embroidered ball. Each wears a
collar embellished with jeweled tassels and a cloud motif,
fronting in the mask of a fanged monster which holds in
its teeth a jeweled bell, the collar tied behind in a draped
bow. Carved backbones terminate in curling tails. The lions
sit on draped double lotuses, with incised ling chi, the
plant of long life, on each descending point of the drapery.
Meanders line the top and bottom of the lotus seats and
are seen on the top of the male lion’s pedestal.
It
is difficult to describe the rich patina of these pieces
as they appear when held in the hand. The overall tone has
deepened to a pale honey color;. Depending on the angle
of carving, the ivory shows moire, striated or swirling
surface patterns. The carvings have been topped with caps
of ivory to close the ends. The female has two such caps,
one within another. Age-darkened grooves set off the relief
carving and deepen the recesses of this fine pair of ivories.
