| Chinese
Gilt Bronze Ritual Offering
Chimera
Mystic Lion
Ming, circa: 1368-1644AD
H 7
in.(18cm.), W 11 in.(28cm.), D 5 in.(12.5cm.) Vigorously
modeled with legs out stretching in archaic chimera pose. Its head with extended
horns rearing upwards, the mystical beast is characterized with upright ears,
open mouth, bulging eyes and protruding fangs, giving this chimera a ferocious
demeanor well fit as a guardian beast. The initial appearance of chimera design
can be traced back to Shang dynasty (1600-1027 B.C.), approximately a thousand
years ahead of the mythical guardian lion design found in the Han (206 B.C.-220
A.D.). Here, similar to the guardian lion, the neck of this chimera is decorated
with cowrie shell designs, with deeply casted mane along the upper arch of its
back, reaching its long tail in a large swing curl behind its body. Its four feet
are planted on the ground and talons are discernible. The body is incised overall
with tiny designs. The bronze is of smooth patina and near black in color, with
some malachite encrustation and traces of gilt remained in small patterns. |
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image below for close-up
 Private Collection |
