Chinese Figure of Lion and Monkey

The lion's tongue reaches down to the monkey's head. The monkey appears unconcerned.

This figure of a lion and monkey comes from China and dates to the 20th century. It is marble. Stone lions were set at Chinese gates and temples to protect those inside and announce their standing, though a monkey companion is a less familiar arrangement. The lion crouches with a long ridged mane, a curled tail and a wide-open mouth. At its feet the monkey sits with knees drawn up and its gaze fixed ahead, on a low flat base. Thirty-six inches high.

Neither has moved. Call it friendship, or a standoff.