Description: Antique 19th Century Ball-in-Mouth Foo Dogs/ Lions Hand Carved Gilt & Lacquered Finish Pair of Unusual and Petite Carved Wood “Fu” Dogs.Very old, early to mid 19th Century, probably Northern China. Qing (Ch'ing) DynastyLarge Bat-like ears, pronounced spines and elaborate tails. Collars with bells and pronounced manes on back of heads.Painted in lacquer red with gilt highlights.Both with tiny balls enclosed in mouths.Carved out of a single piece of wood.Ca 1800-1850. Size Ea: Approx. 2.5 in. L x 1.75 in. W x 3 in. HCondition: Very Good, considering age. Some loss to paint, minor losses, and (1) figure presents with small split from iron nail at base. Wear commensurate with age. Although known in the West as “Foo”, or “Fu” Dogs, these creatures are seldom referred to as dogs in Chinese. Rather, they are Shi, or lions. These are sometimes acknowledged by their innate qualities or abilities: and an auspicious lion is Ruishi, a fortuitous lion is Fushi, while the Lion of Buddha is Foshi.The history of Chinese lions dates back thousands of years, with the earliest record of lions coming from the Han Dynasty (221 BCE - 200 CE). Geographically, lions were not native to China, but historians believe that lions came into Chinese knowledge through trade along the Silk Route. Han imperial records also indicate that lions were brought to the Han court by emissaries from Central Asia and Persia. The word Shi, itself, is believed to be derived from the Persian word for lion, or Ser.Imperial records from this era, written by royal court minstrels, also expressed the majestic qualities of the lion and how they captivated Han's emperors. As a result, the Han royalty adopted the lion as protection iconography and adorned their tombs and shrines with stone and earthen sculptures of these magnificent creatures. These sculptures were often placed in pairs, one on each side of an entrance, to act as guardians.
Price: 119 USD
Location: Suffield, Connecticut
End Time: 2025-01-05T17:11:28.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Primary Material: Wood
Color: Red
Chinese Dynasty: Qing (1644-1911)
Theme: Foo Dog
Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
Animal Type: Lion
Height: 3 in.
Features: Handcarved, Handpainted
Region of Origin: China
Age: 1800-1849
