Chinese Hand Carved Jade Bixie Figure. Two sets of horns or antlers protrude from the grotesque body, with the stone covered in the original rock it rested in demonstrating a more modern rough-hewn style. 

Size: 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 1/2 in. 

The pixiu is a Chinese mythical hybrid creature that resembles a winged lion, considered powerful protectors of the souls of the dead, xian, and feng shui practitioners. They are said to be influential and auspicious symbols to bring luck and wealth, as the creature would even eat gold, silver, and jewels in folk tales. There are two types of Pixiu, determined by their horns/antlers: the one with two antlers is the female and is called a Bìxié, and the other has one large antler and is the male, called a Tiānlù. Today, Pixiu are a popular design on jade pendants, frequently given to couples as a joint form of protection, since the male form is said to be the collector of riches, and the female form then guards said riches once they are brought home. 

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