Early 20th century, two reclining chimeras with their heads forward, their mouths in a grimace, curled nostrils, their manes fall in a strip behind their heads and their spines are marked by a series of raised bumps down the back, grove marks run the surface of the chimeras, seated on a rectangular base.

7 x 15.5 x 9.75 in.

From a Long Island, NY Estate

The chimera is a mythical protective guardian believed to have the ability to frighten away evil spirits. Beginning in the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) these stone animals were used to mark the pathways and gates to the burial grounds of Chinese emperors and nobility.

One base has three curved areas of loss on back side; possibly loss to lower back of one; dirt and wear from being kept outdoors.

$400 - 800