The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Guardian Lion

Guardian Lion

c. 600
(618-907)
white marble
Overall: 78.8 cm (31 in.); Base: 49.6 x 41.8 cm (19 1/2 x 16 7/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1965.473
Location: AAW Art Allée West

Description

Lion sculptures like this example are often found at the entrance to Buddhist temples in China. It may seem as if they are there to protect the temple. Lions also have had strong associations with Buddhism since the religion’s origin; the dharma, or Buddhist doctrine, is said to be spread through his roar.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, “Golden Anniversary Acquisition,” 1965, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives. archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 250 archive.org
    Stechow, Wolfgang. "Cleveland's Golden Anniversary Acquisitions." ARTNews 65, no. 5 (September 1966): 30-44, 62-64. Reproduced: p. 44; Mentioned: p. 63
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 250 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 331 archive.org
  • Golden Anniversary of Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 10-October 16, 1966).
  • {{cite web|title=Guardian Lion|url=false|author=|year=c. 600|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1965.473