White-glazed Mother Lion with a Cub, Xing Ware

In China, the lion is an auspicious animal, representing authority and superiority. Often appearing in pairs, they were made into stone statues flanking the residence gate as safeguards, and a common subject matter in Buddhist art as well. The center of the Xing kiln complex was located in Neiqiu and Lincheng counties in Hebei province under Xingzhou region in Tang dynasty. Xing kiln’s white porcelain has a very fine body applied with pure white glaze, and used to be reserved for the imperial family in the Tang dynasty.