antique bronze statues and gilt bronzes chinese and Indian sculptures antique chinese porcelain examples Welcome   Our Collections Bronzes and Metalwork Exhibitions Early Ceramics Contact Enamels Furniture   Himalayan   Indian   Ivory and Raino Horn   Lacqoer   Porcelain   Sculpture   Southeast Asian   Works of Art Pair of bronze qilins Kangxi period, 1662 – 1722 Height: 15 cm | 6 in Length: 14 cm | 5 1/2 in Click image for full-size version The mythical beasts are seated on their haunches, their front legs locked straight in a powerful stance. With heads turned to the right and left respectively, they look backwards – with open mouths exposing fangs, and wide bulging eyes that convey a most fearsome expression. These characteristics – combined with a mane and bushy tail – are those of a lion; however, the single horn to the crown of each beast and the oversize ears signify that the creatures are qilin – a combination of lion, deer and dragon – who, although ferocious in aspect, actually possess the kindest disposition. The latter quality is in accordance with the qilin’s role as a symbol of good government and longevity, and emblem of high rank. They are also symbolic of steadfastness, beneficence and a desire for blessings. The pair are illustrated freestanding, but they also have accompanying wood stands. Similar example: Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong: Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Forbidden City Publishing, 1989 – plate 142 (within the Kangxi section), page 159 illustrates many similarities in the modelling of a turquoise porcelain mythical beast.