Chinese Hand Carved Qilin

On display, a lion-like guardian grips a smooth round ball like a prize it won.

This hand carved qilin is from China, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is boxwood. The qilin is a hoofed Chinese mythical beast, often shown with scales and a single horn or pair of antlers, and generally seen as a sign of good omen. Looking closer, a small carved beast with a curly mane, heavy brow and open mouth, its front paws resting on a large smooth sphere. The finish is polished reddish brown with darker detail in the curls. It is 2.25 inches wide, 2.75 deep and 3 high.

Serious about the ball and slightly smug about the passenger.