19th C. Chinese Qing Dynasty Stone Figure with Foo Dog

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Art of Asia | Antiquity to Present

By Artemis Gallery

May 6, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-05-06 10:00:00 2021-05-06 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Art of Asia | Antiquity to Present https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/art-of-asia-antiquity-to-present-6908
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• Lot Description
  East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A delightful hand-carved stone sculpture of a male figure standing next to a foo lion or foo dog (also "fu" lion or "fu" dog) on a square integral plinth. Sat on his haunches, the fantastical canine displays a thick body, raised tail, and sizable head with bared teeth, perky ears, a round snout, and bulging, annular eyes. Mane-like tufts of curling hair frame its fierce visage. Alternatively, the figure stands calmly and smiles with both hands placed on the beast. Topped by a thick coiffure, he presents a boyish visage with slender eyes, chubby cheeks, a button nose, and an almost cherubic smirk. A scarf is casually tied around his neck as he steps one foot forward and places his weight on his back leg. A stunning example from Chinese culture! Size: 4.875" L x 4.875" W x 8.25" H (12.4 cm x 12.4 cm x 21 cm)
  
  Foo lions or foo dogs are usually presented in pairs outside of a palace, temple, government offices, or tomb to protect those within, representing the male and female as well as yin and yang. Symbolically, the male protects the outside, and the female protects the inside of the dwelling. Initially featured in Chinese palaces and tombs, foo dogs became popular in other parts of Asia such as Japan, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, Singapore, and Nepal. The foo dog is actually a guardian lion, and the term foo dog is a Western name for the Chinese "shi shi", the guardian lion, who since the Han Dynasty has stood in statue form protecting Imperial palaces, tombs, temples, and government offices. Interestingly, lions were brought to Chinese courts as early as the Han dynasty; however, most artists relied on second-hand sources for descriptions, resulting in very stylized figures, often mistaken as dogs by Western viewers.
  
  Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Asian Treasures
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
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  #163675

  Condition

  Repaired from at least 4 pieces with some restoration over break lines. Some minor losses to periphery of base. Expected nicks, chips, light abrasions, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent.
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