**Originally Listed At $300**
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1644 to 1912 CE. An imposing stone carving of a fu lion, or "foo dog", on an integral stone plinth. Sitting upon his haunches, the long tail winds around his front paw, the other paw rests on a ball. An ornamental bell collar sits on the neck, a swirling mane, and knobby ears adorn his tilted head. Bulging eyes stare from under the mane above a squared snout, snarling to reveal teeth and a chin with curled hair. A highly stylized representation of a lion guardian that protected sacred buildings against evil spirits or people. Lions had been brought to Chinese courts as early as the Han dynasty, but most artists relied on second-hand sources for descriptions, resulting in very stylized figures, often mistaken as dogs by western viewers. Size: 5.75" W x 11.75" H (14.6 cm x 29.8 cm)
The "foo dog" is a western name for the Chinese "shi shi", the guardian lion. A common architectural protective figure originating in Imperial China that spread into many Asian cultures. Often portrayed in a pair with a male and female to represent Yin and Yang. The male, such as this piece, plays with a ball and the female plays with a cub.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection, ex-Indochine Gallery, Colorado acquired in 1998
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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#157502
Condition
Surface weathering and softening of finer details. Losses as shown to paw and leg. Nice earthen encrustations and patina.