 | Antique
Chinese Carving
Chimera
Winged Pair
Signature: unsigned, early 20th century
h. 4 in.(10cm), w. 3.75 in.(9.5cm), d. 1.75 in.(9.5cm)
measurement
not including wood base
Condition:
hairlines, chip to wood base |  |
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| Private Collection |  |
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| Pair
of Ivory chimeras, carved in the 20th Century, fashioned after ancient representations
of the creatures--combining the wings of a bird, the body and face of a lion,
and the horns of a ram--which were placed as guardians on either side of the approach
to a tomb. Crouching aggressively with jaws open and red inlaid eyes glaring,
the style of the faces recalls 18th Century carvings. In cream colored ivory,
well marked, with graphic engravings and rich application of sumi bringing out
the details of fur and wings.
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