Antique sculptural composition "Qilin giving a child". It is made in the technique of cloisonne enamel. The stand is a tree. China, XX century.

In Chinese mythology, a qilin is a spirit having the body of a horse, the legs of a deer, a bear's tail, horns and scales. This respected animal is only worthy of seeing it. The Qilin giving birth to a child is a traditional plot and a special type of composition dedicated to the birth of a boy. If the child was brought to the mother by a kind spirit, then this is a sign of a happy married life of the parents and the future brilliant career of the baby. According to Feng Shui, the possession of such a sculpture promises the owner longevity, rich and famous offspring, joy and good luck.