A Lancai-Splashed Lion Elbow Rest

Tang dynasty (AD 618-907)
Earthenware
Gongxian Kilns, Henan Province, China
13cm x 6.8cm

The elbow rest sturdily potted is powerfully modelled as a recumbent lion, the head lowered and resting between its front paws, a curly mane extending over its front haunches, supporting a gently curved oval top decorated with a geometric pattern, raised on a lobed stand. Decorated overall in the lead based sancai-glazes of amber and green on a cream background with additional decoration of lancai or blue-glaze making it an exceptionally rare object.

• An example of a pillow depicting a Lion is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is published on the Museum’s website, accession no. C.5-1910.

Provenance:
– The Professor Conrad Harris Collection of Early Chinese Art, formed in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s.