I picked up this lion weight in a small Burmese antique shop in Chiang Mai (not on the tourist strip). I purchased it because I managed to convince myself that somewhere I had read something about a lion carrying something in its mouth. This lion has an open mouth and it is carrying something that looks like a furl of material to its right hand side (left if looking at it). It carries a nine-rayed star on its right hand side. This area seems to be mis-shapen though and protrudes unevenly. The feet of the lion are interesting, you can see four distict toes like crab pincers. Overall the piece is a dull silver colour. Also has a double necklace inscribed on its chest. I can take some more photos if it is helpful. I would be interested to hear from anyone your opinion of what is in its mouth. Anything of significance? Or is it a case that this piece has been damaged at some stage and the owner has tried to add some material to restore its weight? It weighs 76 grams. Thank you, Nicola

Hi Michael,

Really appreciate you taking the time to reply and give your opinion. I did wonder at the time if it was a casting failure. But then the mass suggested perhaps otherwise. Indeed usually more metal is added to the base to adjust the mass. I did not pay much for it and I guess in its anomalies or failures it is unique in that sense. I have some lovely examples in the rest of my small collection.

Thank you again,

Nicola