Description:

Southeast Asia, Myanmar/Burma, ca. 1920 CE. A hand carved and hand painted wooden feline creature depicting the infamous Chinthe or possibly a Clouded Leopard. Chinthes traditionally mark the entries to temples and pagodas in Southeast Asia, and they are also featured on currency of Burma and Sri Lanka. This example is expertly carved with an expressively open mouth and fearsome fangs. The painted surface in hues of gold, red, and black. The fine painting of the eyes is particularly impressive, and the expression is almost human-like. A precious piece! Size: 4" x 1-3/4".

The story behind this iconography begins with a princess who had a child born of her marriage to a lion. She soon abandoned the lion, who grew enraged and terrorized the land. One day the son, thinking he was performing a heroic act, slayed the lion only to find out that he had killed his own father. To pay tribute, the son had a statue of the lion erected as a guardian to the temple built to atone for his sinful act. Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, Santa Monica, CA. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #109669

  • Condition: Aged surface with wear as shown. Small loss to front right paw. Small hole to backside.

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August 29, 2015 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000