These are massive Chinese marble sculptures, from the Ming dynasty period (1368–1644). They are ferocious, mythical beasts, Chinese lion-dogs, that are located beside the Palm Pond in Kew Gardens.
They sit on guard on the steps leading to the southern side of the pond.
Each kylin has a front claw gripping a small creature, pinning it down. They are a majestic sight, as they survey their kingdom, gazing across to the ‘Hercules fighting Achelous’ sculpture in the fountain in the middle of the Palm Pond.
The kylins were the gifts of Sir John Ramsden who kept them in his Bulstrode Park, North London residence. Ramsden was selling the estate and wanted to find a suitable site for the two pieces, which weighed ten tons each and were carved in Chinese marble. He offered them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries who in turn offered them to Kew and on 23rd January 1958.
A Kilin or Qilin is a mythical Chinese creature known throughout East Asian cultures and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a wise sage or an illustrious ruler. The Qilin only punishes the wicked. It can walk on grass yet not trample the blades, and it can also walk on water. As it is a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. It takes great care when it walks never to harm or tread on any living thing, and it is said to appear only in areas ruled by a wise and benevolent leader. It is normally gentle but can become fierce if a pure person is threatened by a sinner, spouting flames from its mouth and exercising other fearsome powers that vary from story to story.
