Sui Xiangzhou Kiln Celadon Seated Lion Holding Lotus Sculpture, Sui Dynasty (Late 6th – Early 7th Century)

拍品描述

Dimensions：Overall Height 24 cm (9.45 in), Length 24 cm (9.45 in), Northern antique celadon sculpture from the 6th–7th centuryCondition & Provenance：The sculpture is fully intact with no breaks or missing segments. Natural crackle glaze spreads across the entire lion figure, and all three-dimensional molded details including mane, lotus flower and vine tendrils remain complete. The unglazed base bears authentic ancient soil patina, only faint minor wear on the foot base clay over centuries, with no reattachment, patching or aftermarket glazing repairs. Fine ice crackle on the glaze forms naturally through long-term aging, free of artificially simulated crackle or acid washing. Classified as early Chinese celadon, this artifact circulated through Hong Kong, previously collected by a veteran private early ceramic collector based in Central Hong Kong. It comes with appraisal archives from the Toronto Oriental Ancient Ceramics Society and professional testing certification for Sui Xiangzhou kiln wares, with no aftermarket molded decorations, body restoration or artificial soil patina forgery.Description：This large Sui Xiangzhou kiln celadon lion sculpture ranks as an extremely rare monumental three-dimensional ceramic artwork from northern Chinese kilns of the Sui era, holding outstanding prestige among early antique ceramic collectors globally and widely sought after by ancient porcelain collectors in New York and Illinois. The piece depicts a seated auspicious lion with robust, full proportions and steady four limbs planted firmly on the ground; simplified, bold musculature carving captures the rugged, powerful sculptural aesthetic transitioning from Northern Dynasties to Sui China. Its head features layered spiral curled manes with rich three-dimensional depth. The lion’s wide open bared-tooth jaws grasp a twisting lotus stem, topped with a fully formed lotus bud emerging from its crown. The lion-and-lotus motif symbolizes purity, warding off evil and attracting fortune, a classic Buddhist decorative theme prevalent during the devoutly Buddhist Sui Dynasty. The entire sculpture is covered in thin, translucent pale celadon glaze with naturally varying tone gradients, covered all over in fine aged crackle. The feet and base reveal coarse off-white pottery clay coated in original burial soil patina, hallmark characteristics of Xiangzhou kiln ceramics. The sculpture is hollow inside with a hollowed base, a standard firing technique for large ancient ceramic statuary; every spiral mane, claw and lotus petal is hand-modeled and hand-carved with unrefined, straightforward craftsmanship typical of Sui artisans. Large complete animal ceramic sculptures dating to the Sui Dynasty are extraordinarily scarce; most surviving examples are tiny burial figurines. Standing at over 24 centimeters tall with fully preserved form, intact symbolic motif and distinct kiln markers, this piece delivers irreplaceable archaeological research value and profound medieval sculptural beauty. It is ideal for long-term special exhibitions at ancient Asian ceramic museums in Hong Kong and New York, permanent high-end private collections of early Chinese celadon overseas, and antique Chinese interior styling to showcase the sculptural mastery of northern imperial kilns in medieval China.

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