Pair of Song Dynasty Chimera FIgures

This pair of stone statues made in Song Dynasty China were originally placed in palaces or tombs to protect sacred spaces. These stone figures (石獸) served as a barrier to the intrusion of enemy forces, poised bravely as if to attack the enemy in front of them, forefeet advanced, eyes wide open, and teeth and claws bared. Their expressive composure, lithe body, delicate trunk, and prominent spine are representative of the outstanding craftsmanship of Song period masonry. The statues’ rounded ears, shaggy mane, and tail wrapped around their hind legs suggest that the figure may be that of a lion. The lion, first introduced to China from the Western Regions around the 1st century A.D., was considered a rare animal, symbolizing noble status and protecting against unlawfulness. Accordingly, they were used in the construction of residences for royal concubines and in tombs. These statues in the collection of the Barakat Gallery are masterpieces of Song Dynasty art, a period of economic prosperity and cultural growth.