Lion's Head

between 1000 and 1127

Chinese

On View

Chinese Art, Level 1, North Wing

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Exhibition History

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

This lion, with its flattened ears, protruding eyes, and flaring nostrils, was created by casting liquid iron in a mold—an extraordinary technological feat. Originally, it carried a monumental sculpture of the bodhisattva Wenshu (Manjushri) on its back. Lions are associated with the spread and protection of Buddhist teachings. This one likely stood outside a temple.

Title Lion's Head

Artwork Date between 1000 and 1127

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. Chinese

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Chinese

Medium Cast iron

Dimensions Overall: 27 1/2 × 21 × 29 inches, 344 pounds (69.9 × 53.3 × 73.7 cm, 156 kg)

Classification Sculpture

Department Asian Art

Credit Founders Society Purchase, Edsel B. Ford Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 31.281

Markings

Inscriptions ------

Provenance

(Celestin Liu)

1931-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

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