† AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE ‘BUDDHIST LION AND CUB’ AMBER PENDANT, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY

LOT 424 · 已成交

成交价 EUR6000.00

拍卖时间：2026-10-16 17:00

拍品描述

† AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE ‘BUDDHIST LION AND CUB’ AMBER PENDANT, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY Expert’s note The present amber is remarkable for its exceptionally rare natural combination of two distinctly different appearances within a single piece: translucent golden to dark brown areas displaying the characteristic fine crackling associated with aged amber, alongside rich, opaque egg-yolk-yellow passages reminiscent of the most prized Baltic amber. Even more extraordinary is the manner in which the carver has exploited this natural variation. With exceptional skill, the translucent darker amber has been deliberately retained along the raised edges and details of the carving, where it stands out against the lighter opaque ground and lends remarkable depth and definition to the relief. The effect is strikingly reminiscent of carved overlay glass, yet here it is achieved entirely through the natural structure and coloration of the amber. The combination of such an unusual material with this highly sophisticated use of its inherent properties makes the present carving particularly important. Neatly carved in the round with a recumbent Buddhist lion looking upward, detailed with open mouth revealing the tongue and teeth, bulging eyes below scrolling eyebrows, wide snout, bushy tail and manes, nestled with a cub clambering on its side, and a floral brocade ball on its back. Dimensions: Length 6.5 cm The depiction of a large and small Buddhist lion (dashi xiaoshi) forms an auspicious rebus for the titles Grand Preceptor and Junior Preceptor (taishi shaoshi), the highest-ranking positions within the imperial government of China. Through this visual pun, the motif conveys the wish that the owner and his descendants may attain high office, honor, and lasting prosperity. Particularly favored by Qing dynasty carvers, it appears in jade, hardstone, ivory, wood, and other precious materials. The compact, playfully intertwined composition was ideally suited to carving in the round, allowing craftsmen to demonstrate their skill through deeply undercut limbs, curling manes, and ingeniously connected bodies. Literature comparison: Compare a related closely amber carving of a lion playing with a ball, dated to the 18th century, 6.6 cm long, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 故雜008105N000000000. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 1948 Price: HKD 600,000, equivalent to approximately EUR 86,500 in 2026 after adjustment for inflation Remarks: The closely related figure is carved from amber displaying the same remarkable natural combination discussed in the Expert’s Note above. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 September 2010, lot 1253 Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 13,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, manner of carving, and size (6.7 cm). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

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