The stone lion statue was discovered in 1992 in Ba Canh Village, Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon District, Binh Dinh Province (now part of An Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province), near the Canh Tien Tower within the Hoang De Citadel national heritage site. While farming, local residents uncovered a burial pit containing a Gajasimha statue (a mythical creature with an elephant's head and a lion's body) alongside two stone lion statues. Following their discovery, all the artifacts were taken into custody for preservation. In 1999, the two stone lion statues and related artifacts were transferred to the Binh Dinh Provincial Museum (now the Gia Lai Provincial Museum) for display within the Champa cultural exhibition area, serving purposes of research, conservation, and the promotion of Champa cultural heritage values.
The stone lion statue is carved in a recumbent posture, propped up on its forelegs with its head held high and chest thrust forward, all resting on a monolithic rectangular base. The head is large and robust, featuring a slightly upturned face, a broad forehead, round protruding eyes, a large nose, and a wide-open mouth with fangs protruding on both sides; the upper jaw contains eleven sharp teeth. The forehead is adorned with three layers of ornamentation: a band of thirty-six spherical beads, a row of *bodhi* leaf motifs with small circles in the center, and a band of curved, claw-like patterns.
The statue features a short neck and a broad chest, adorned with a double-layered decorative collar resembling a cape and two strings of bells: the upper string consists of twenty-six lotus-petal-shaped bells, while the lower string comprises twenty-seven bell-shaped ornaments decorated with triple-layered *bodhi* leaf motifs. Three layers of thin, gently curving flaps drape down the back of the neck. The body is robust and broad, with the tail swept upward against the torso. ...with four short, stout legs—the ankles adorned with bands of spherical beads—and paws featuring three sharp-clawed toes. The overall form is massive and robust, featuring decorative motifs that are bold yet fluid.
The two stone lions from the Do Ban Citadel, currently housed and displayed at the Gia Lai Provincial Museum, are exemplary and unique works of the Thap Mam style. They possess significant historical, cultural, and artistic value, reflecting the sculptural mastery and outstanding achievements of Champa art throughout history.
