Bronze China, Ming Dynasty, 17th century The guardian lion is spiritedly cast in a classical posture with his left paw resting atop a brocade ball, symbolizing the cosmic pearl. The outsized head of the beast features bulging eyes beneath curled eyebrows, the ears upright in a horn-like fashion and the back and sides showcase a masterly incised arrangement of snail curls forming the mane. The strong body is dressed in elaborate trappings suspending tassels, bells and bows. From the bow at the back a Buddhist double-knot is suspended, functioning as a removable lid to the vessel. Shape: Figural shape Dimensions: 22,5 cm (length), 22,5 cm (height) Condition: Good condition with appealing natural patina Provenance: Austrian private collection, acquired 1987 in our galleries in a Ming Bronzes special exhibition (scans of catalog entry enclosed with this lot) Literature comparison: For two other censers in shape of Buddhist lions with harness and of the period see Sotheby’s, FINE CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 19 MARCH 2013 - 20 MARCH 2013, NEW YORK, lot 311 and lot 288. 十七世紀明代坐獅銅爐 青銅 中國，明代，十七世紀 精心鑄造的獅子以傳統坐姿，其左爪擱在象徵著宇宙的火珠上。 獅首巨大，在眉毛下方有凸起的眼睛，耳朵像喇叭一樣直立，背部和側面展示了精緻彎曲的鬃毛，強壯的身軀披著精心製作的流蘇，挂著鈴鐺。 佛陀雙髻從後面的垂下，作爲蓋子可以取下。 坐獅形 尺寸：長22,5 cm，高 22,5 cm 品相極好，包漿厚澤沉穩 奧地利私人收藏，1987年在本藝廊一次明代青銅器特別展覽中購買（附關於此拍品的目錄掃描） 文獻參考：另外兩件同時期帶盔獅形銅爐可見 蘇富比《中國精美陶瓷及工藝品》，2013年3月19-20日，紐約，311號及288號拍品。