Message #51987

[OIB]

Dear Rube,

The ancient animals are generally known as Divine Creatures 神兽(shen shou). Each of these animals do have a name but due to variation in carvings, some are difficult to identify. In pictures I posted, the animals depicted are not identical ( except the rose quartz and the lapis lazuli ones ), only closely resembling one another

I believe the animals as shown in my collection are among those animals called 樽兽 (zun shou). They are commonly found on roof tops, end of the main ridges, of temples and palatial buildings ( see pictures ).

Steven and other experts on the Forum may wish to comment on this, please.

Inn Bok