Chinese Tang Dynasty Basalt Foo Dogs / Lions (pr)

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 18, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-18 10:00:00 2021-02-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-6373
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• Lot Description
  East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A wonderful pair of Buddhist foo lions or foo dogs (also "fu" lion or "fu" dog), each one sitting upon an integral plinth and carrying an integral drum-like pedestal, nicely adorned by upper and lower 'beaded' borders, upon their backs. Both foo lions rest upon their haunches and raise their upper bodies with their front legs, looking out with lively expressions, their visages comprised of bulging eyes, laid back pointy ears, prominent snouts with flaring nostrils, and open mouths that reveal a curved fang at each corner. Their bodies are meticulously rendered with a curly mane and a finely incised coat. A pair of highly stylized lion guardians that traditionally protected sacred buildings against evil spirits or people. Size of larger (though both similar in size): 13.875" L x 11.125" W x 16.625" H (35.2 cm x 28.3 cm x 42.2 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 Hawaii, USA collection; ex M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii USA, 1960 to 2000
  
  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.
  
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  #162584

  Condition

  Expected chips to peripheries and high-pointed areas. Normal surface wear with some abraded areas commensurate with age. Collection labels on the drum-like pedestals.
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