A Chinese patinated bronze guardian lion, late 19th / early 20th century, the snarling bronze guardian lion in rampant position, with one forepaw on a brocade ball and the other holding tight a ribbon in his wide-open jaw, with long tufted mane and tail coiled above its back, above two cubs, raised on a circular tambour base decorated with key fret, beading and masks, unmarked, height 27.5 cm