Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Pair of Chinese Dark Stone Fu Lions, c. 1800

$2,980per set
£2,246.93per set
€2,589.28per set
CA$4,134.07per set
A$4,632.20per set
CHF 2,411.24per set
MX$56,667.82per set
NOK 30,606.17per set
SEK 28,907.16per set
DKK 19,329.49per set
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Believed to be powerful protectors against malevolent spirits, fu lion dogs have stood guard at the entryways and thresholds of Chinese buildings and temples for centuries. Known as shizi or shishi, the mythical beast is a benevolent and playful guardian of the home. Miniature examples of a traditional form, these handsome fu lions date to the early 19th century and are carved of a fine, dark stone, polished smooth in many places from the touch of hands over the years. As a pair, the lions embody the dueling forces of yin and yang, the balance of male and female energies. Carved with expressive facial features and elaborate curly manes, each fu lion sits with its characteristic accessory beneath its paw - the female shizi with a young cub, representing the cycle of life, and the male shizi with an embroidered ball, representing dominion over the universe.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Qing (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c. 1800
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CEAN0261stDibs: LU820045288202

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Dark Stone Fu Lion Protector, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Believed to be powerful protectors against malevolent spirits, fu lion dogs have stood guard at the entryways and thresholds of Chinese buildings and temples for centuries. Known as ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

Pair of Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of limestone fu lion-dogs once protected a grand courtyard home in 19th-century China. Skillfully carved in attentive postures, the mythical lions are known as “shizi,” pow...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century carved limestone Fu dogs with sinister smiles and furled brows once guarded the entrance to one of provincial China's grand homes. One peers up and the othe...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Chinese Guardian Fu Lions with Riders, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of intricately carved limestone fu lions once protected the entry of a grand courtyard home in 19th-century China. Also known as shizi or foo dogs, the mythical creatures a...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Petite Chinese Fu Dog Guardians
Located in Chicago, IL
With curly manes and playful expressions, these petite stone fu dogs are adorable companions and benevolent guardians of the home. Also known as shizi, the pair represents yin and ya...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Chinese Sancai Fu Lion Protectors, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Believed to be powerful protectors against malevolent spirits, fu lion dogs have stood guard at the entryways and thresholds of Chinese homes for centuries. This pair of small cerami...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

You May Also Like

23cm Vintage Chinese Auspicious Wood Lions Pair Sculptures
Located in 景德镇市, CN
Enhance your space with this Vintage Chinese Auspicious Wood Lions Pair Sculptures, a stunning representation of traditional Chinese artistry and symbolism. Hand-carved from high-qua...
Category

Vintage 1960s Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Chinese Hardstone Guardian Lions
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of hand carved Chinese Jade hardstone Foo Lions or Fu Dogs. This pair of Chinese spinach jade appears to be a nephrite, covered vases having a figural foo lion design with raise...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

A decorative pair of carved gilt wood and lacquer Chinese Buddhist lions C 1900
Located in Central England, GB
A very pleasing and beautifully hand carved pair of Chinese Buddhist lions left and right handed and raised onto stepped rectangular plinths all carved from the same section of timbe...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
Often referred to as “Fu Dogs” in western culture, these handsome stone sentinels are iconic gatekeepers seen throughout China and elsewhere in Asia. Traditional symbols of protectio...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions
$16,900 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Pair 19th Century Bronze Fu Dogs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
These guardian statues were traditionally found standing sentry in front of palaces, temples, and homes of the elite across many parts of Asia. These ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Bronzed Metal Buddhist Temple Foo Dogs Lions
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular pair of Chinese Buddhist guardian temple foo dogs or foo lions intricately crafted from bronzed metal. The lions are depicted sitting with one having a paw on a ball or o...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal