Lladro Guardian Lioness Sculpture. Red. Limited Edition

For thousands of years, these majestic creatures have represented the best omens in Eastern culture. Artists at the Lladró High Porcelain workshop have recreated this ancient tradition in these limited edition pieces, richly decorated with lustres and various textures and finishes. These lions, inspired by traditional statues of bronze, iron or granite which flank the doors of palaces, temples and noble houses in various Eastern countries, are presented in pairs and protect the buildings from evil spirits. Seen from the front, the male is located on the right and takes care of the structure, represented by the ball he holds with his leg, while the female is located on the left and cares for the inhabitants. This lioness is paired with the guardian lion (blue) and there are two other decorative versions. Blue tones are predominant, in addition to a border in gold lustre with alternating gloss and matte finishes. Artists of the High Porcelain workshop recreate and embellish every detail of the piece, such as the elaborate ornamentation of the skirts and chest plates, the introduction of the necklace as a decorative element and the lavish modelling of the manes and tails. Authentic filigree work makes these impressive sculptures a work halfway between the thousand-year-old tradition and the maker´s creation.

The striking presence of mythological beings flanking the Ishtar Gate at the walls of Babylon inspired the artists of the Lladró High Porcelain workshop in this powerful sculpture, richly decorated with golds, lustres and a vast wealth of colours and textures. Lamassu is the name of the winged bulls with human heads guarding the entrance to the royal palaces of the ancient Neo-Assyrian empire. With their imposing presence on both sides of the door, they symbolised the supernatural powers of kings, drove away evil and attracted good fortune. Each of the elements of this mythological creature is reproduced with great artistry in this limited edition: the wild bull of Mesopotamia hunted by kings, the eagle representing the monarch contemplating his subjects, and the human brow crowned as an allusion to his intelligence and divinity. In the embellishment of the piece, blue tones are highlighted, with turquoise reminiscent of lapis lazuli and gold as a symbol of wealth, all applied with great precision by hand. New lustres are combined in cobalt blue and brown, in addition to a combination of matte, gloss and satin finishes.

The love between Radha and Krishna has given rise to some wonderful fables and their story is an important part of major Hindu celebrations like Jhulan Yatra, the festival of swings. After the summer heat, when the clouds float high in the sky, the Brajwasi celebrate the arrival of the first rains. With the onset of monsoon season, ponds and lakes fill with rainwater, lotus flowers blossom, the air is scented with a pleasant fragrance and the forests of Vrindavan are decorated with wonderful jhula, like the one on which Radha and Krishna swing in this High Porcelain creation. Following tradition, the swing is finely decorated with many flowers which, like the garland worn by Krishna, have all been handmade one by one, with over 200 petals. The costumes worn by Radha and Krishna signify their spiritual importance and Lladró artists have recreated them in minute detail. From the jewelry, etched by hand and decorated with golden and copper luster, to the embroidery of the fabrics or the decoration applied by hand combining deep rich colors like orange and blue. Radha Krishna on a Swing is a creation that seems to float in the air, suspended over a wood base. In this way, the divine couple rock back and forth forever on their legendary swing, conveying to the world their divine love.