China, Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) Carved limestone H 114 × W 20 × D 22 cm

A monumental limestone horse-tie post (mashi zhu) carved as a guardian lion, its mane abstracted into flowing ridges, face eroded but watchful. The beast crouches atop a tall rectangular plinth, eyes narrowed in vigilance.

A pierced aperture near the base anchored tethering rings; the lion above served double duty as ornament and protector. The chalky patina, mottled with lichen, records centuries outdoors before entering interior collections—a shift from courtyard utility to sculptural presence.

PROVENANCE & CONTEXT

Horse-tie posts defined Ming courtyards and scholar gardens, merging function with symbolic protection. This tall, narrow form is characteristic of Shanxi or Henan provincial workshops. Comparable examples: Sotheby's Hong Kong (8 Apr 2019, lot 3018, H 118 cm, HK$375,000) and the Shanxi Museum permanent collection.

The weathered surface and abstract carving mark this as provincial work intended for outdoor architectural use, not imperial refinement.