Chinese Lidded Vessel in Shape of Snow Lion

Lift his head, and he turns out to be a container. Few guardians are so accommodating.

This lidded vessel in the shape of a snow lion comes from China, carved from dark green hardstone. The snow lion is a Buddhist emblem of fearlessness, and Chinese carvers also made animal-form vessels in hardstone as desk and display objects, drawing on the look of ancient bronzes. He stands foursquare with an open mouth, curling eyebrows and a ruff of fine incised scrolls. Flame-like wings mark his haunches and a plumed tail curls over his back. A seam at the neck marks the lid. Six and a half inches high.

He has the expression of someone guarding a secret, or lunch.