The original half human half lion sphinx is believed to have been built by egyptians 5 000 years ago.
Tang dynasty marble lion sold.
Unlike the present figure the sancai glazed lion is shown with its head lowered and snarling.
Tang dynasty 618 906 ad.
Ningxia was along the ancient silk road trade route.
These are just some of the.
See a very similar figure of a lion formerly in the collection of rolf lord cunliffe 1899 1963 honorary keeper of the far eastern collections at the fitzwilliam museum carved from black stone sold at bonhams london 12 may 2016 sale 23237 lot 16.
And the location where the item will be sold.
The white marble chinese lion was carved between 618 and 907 a d.
On monday june 19 at 8 7c pm on pbs antiques roadshow revisits albuquerque appraisals from 2002 that have been updated with today s market value including.
Antiques roadshow airs mondays at 8 7c pm 9 8c pm on pbs.
Mounted on a custom made stand.
Tang dynasty marble lion.
Among the tang dynasty carved stone lion figures that have come to the market in recent years this example displays some of the highest quality of carving.
A similarly rendered lion can be seen on a smaller scale serving as a the base for a tang dynasty sancai glazed pottery armrest or stand sold at christie s new york 21 march 2002 lot 118.
Discovering a tang dynasty 618 907 a d lion in such an unexpected venue however ranks as one of the greatest surprises of my career.
Surprise astonishment and disbelief washed over me the moment the owner of a white marble lion walked up to the asian arts table in albuquerque last summer he said.
28 2 kg total 56cm includ.
In addition to the cintamanicakra avalokiteshvara figure the important chinese art auction was led by an exceedingly rare and important complete set of the sutra of perfect enlightenment by the qianlong emperor that fetched 2 7 million more than five times its 500 000 high estimate.
The white marble material was also rarely seen in north china he added.
In this clip from albuquerque asian arts expert lark mason appraises a tang dynasty marble lion.
Read appraisal transcript.
Value 2016 120 000 auction 250 000 insurance.