Handmade ceramic lion w/ flowing mane, large hearth statuary piece

Retro 70s vintage handmade and handpainted ceramic lion, 20 1/2" long. The casting is very well done, but the painting is not of the best... we think the lion deserves a more skilled painter, or maybe a a solid color, to bring out the detailed shaping. (Black or white? Silver or gold? how about red?)