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.