A PALE GREEN JADE CARVING OF A BUDDHIST LION 17th/18th centuryA PALE GREEN JADE CARVING OF A BUDDHIST LION17th/18th centuryThe pebble smoothly carved as a recumbent beast with long curling ears and almond-shaped eyes beneath bushy brows, clasping in its jaws a sprig of peony and lotus, its paws tucked beneath the large arched body terminating in a curly tail, the stone of pale green tone with russet striations. 9cm (3 1/2in) long.十七/十八世紀 玉獅形把件 Combined with a lotus flower, lions underscore auspicious symbolism related to Buddhist faith. Introduced into China from Central Asia as symbols of religious power, probably following the introduction of Buddhism during the Han dynasty, lions became significant protective emblems. The Buddha Shakyamuni was seen as a newborn child pointing to Heaven with one hand and to Earth with the other, 'roaring like a lion' and Buddhists regarded lions as divine creatures of nobleness and protectors of the Truth. Emerging from muddy waters, the lotus is strongly associated with purity and numbers among the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism.See a related yellow and russet jade carving of a lion, early Qing dynasty, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3137.public_sentiment_keywords: BUDDHIST ** Jade +hanis_parse: 20230413image: yuzhan_bonhams_item/51930702.jpgsold_price_type: £