Stand in the Form of a Crouching Lion
Western Jin dynasty, (265–316), late 3rd century
Medium
Yue ware; stoneware with underglaze molded decoration
Dimensions
7 × 10.6 × 6 cm (2 3/4 × 4 3/16 × 2 3/8 in.)
Classification
stoneware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80898
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This crouching leonine animal may be a fanciful depiction of a lion—an animal not indigenous to China but initially introduced under the patronage of Buddhism, where it appeared as an emblem for the historical Buddha and as guardian of the faith. This small but imaginative form, carefully modeled with long beard and curled mane, likely served as a candlestand.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...