Yuan-Yuan, Han Meilin And Lalique, 2019

There is a sense of tenderness that emanates from his rounded, mischievous figures. He captures a moment of life in the wild, a grooming gesture or a frolic on the ground. His gaze is open, the eyes soft and sparkling. The newborn from the Lalique crystal factory, Yuan-Yuan and Meng-Meng, a seated male and a prone female, are both products of Han Meilin’s fertile imagination. With an innocence that belies his 82 years, the Chinese artist marvels at the world through the eyes of a child. He grooms, sketches and models animals for the most part: dogs, cats, tigers, monkeys and the like. He draws his inspiration from a solid grounding in traditional Chinese culture, ranging from his fascination with ancient characters to cave painting, by way of folklore, traditional textiles and clay sculpture. “The national character is the root of my work,” says the artist who has spent several decades collecting inscriptions, marks and symbols from all over China.

• Clear Crystal, Lost Wax
• Lost wax technique
• Dimensions: H 24 x L 20.5 x W 19.2 cm
• Weight: 20.0 kg
• Limited edition of 55 pieces, piece delivered with a certificate of authenticity mentioning its number
• Handcrafted in France