A rare and beautifully aged complete pair of Ming Dynasty Chinese stone guardian lions, traditionally attributed to the Sanyuan area of Shaanxi Province, China.

Carved from dense blue-grey Qing Shi, these compact sculptures are unusually substantial and powerful for their size. Unlike the large architectural stone lions traditionally placed at temple entrances or ancestral halls, this smaller format was suited to interior display, such as a scholar’s desk, altar, study or traditional Chinese interior.

The sculptures feature stylised lion faces, curled manes, powerful paws, muscular bodies and traditional geometric decorative details. Each lion retains its individually carved stone base.

The surfaces display extensive natural age wear, softened carving details, mineral deposits and an old, weathered patina, giving the pair a wonderfully restrained and authentic character.

A particularly interesting complete pair for collectors of Chinese antiques, Ming Dynasty sculpture, scholar’s objects and traditional Chinese decorative arts.