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Painted Porcelain Guardian Lions
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Painted Porcelain Guardian Lions
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Painted Porcelain Guardian Lions

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.03262013-3-1.a-b
Object Type Sculpture
Gifter
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium ceramic (porcelain), paint, adhesive, foam
DimensionsOverall - 3D (.a: Left Lion) H 7 3/8 in x W 8 1/4 in x D 4 1/2 in (18.7 cm x 21 cm x 11.4 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.b: Right Lion) H 7 5/8 in x W 6 3/4 in x D 4 1/8 in (19.4 cm x 17.1 cm x 10.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionPair of porcelain Chinese guardian lions with colorful detailings. Both sculptures depict the lions with their paws on a blue ball. The base color of the lions is teal and each has swirling details for their fur in blues, greens, browns, and reds. The ball each lion has is blue with floral and dotted patterns throughout.The reverse of each ball has inscriptions in Chinese and a painted rainbow spot. The lion on the left has both paws on the ball and is looking up. The lion on the right has the right paw raised off the ball and is looking outwards.
Historical NoteReceived on the occasion of a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan in December 2012.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama during the Obama Administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library. Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
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