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Lion

Maritime Archaeology Museum Trade and Commerce Colonical
Period
Colonical
Date
2025-10-12
Materials
Ceramic
Dimensions
W-48cm, H-51cm
Inventory
MAMG/2009/C/21

Full Description

This magnificent lion figure was produced in Southeast Asia or China. In addition to the characteristics of a lion, the sculpture also displays features of a dog. Therefore, the term lion-dog is also used to refer to sculptures of this type. During China’s Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), similar figures were displayed at sacred sites and royal tombs, as they were believed to possess supernatural powers. This sculpture was discovered in the Lunawa area of Moratuwa in 1945.