Pillar surmounted by a young boy riding a qilin. Grey limest - Lot 279

Pillar surmounted by a young boy riding a qilin. Grey limestone. The boy is smiling, his head mostly shaved, seated on a leonine-looking qilin (mythical animal), its lower body covered with dragon scales. On top of his skull, he wears a pair of deer antlers, which the child holds firmly in his hands. The pillar bears a votive inscription indicating that it was commissioned by an official to honor and bring "peace and prosperity to his descendants". The auspicious theme of the qilin bringing a child is well known in China, and here it reinforces our point. It was probably placed in a shrine to protect the lineage of its patron. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China. Height: 202 cm. Expert: R.M. Provenance: Baeker-Richemont sale, Boulogne-sur-Mer, July 14, 2021, lot no. 314.