At Play upon the Lion

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This group pairs gold with deep teal-blue: a youthful, round-faced figure riding a great lion. Shaven-headed with long earlobes and beaded ornaments at the neck, the smiling figure wears golden robes lined in crimson and sits in half lotus on a blossoming golden lotus, one hand lifting a slender baton high, the other tapping the lotus surface, ribbons looping behind the shoulders — caught mid-dance, as if keeping a beat. Behind him a round aureole ringed with flames is carved inside with scrolling foliage and small figures. Below the lotus crouches the lion, teal-blue all over, its mane in tight curls, eyes wide, fangs and red tongue bared, paws resting on a base of cloud scrolls — fierce, yet with a touch of the endearing. At the lion's feet sits a tiny golden armoured figure, still where the rider is in motion, small answering large. Bright in gold and lively in colour, the set can be enshrined as a group or placed to bring a vivid, cheerful note into a room.