Items Similar to Very Rare Pair of 18th Century Chinese Marble Temple Lion Guardians Foo Dogs View More
Very Rare Pair of 18th Century Chinese Marble Temple Lion Guardians Foo Dogs
About
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare pair of white marble 18th century Imperial Temple Lion Guardians or Foo dogs
A truly exquisite pair, the patina is absolutely glorious from all angles, they could be pressure washed back to the white marble however it has taken hundreds of years to develop this look and feel
Chinese or Imperial guardian lions are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi. They are informally known in colloquial English as lion dogs or foo dogs. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball and one female with a cub—which were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. Used in imperial Chinese palaces and tombs, the lions subsequently spread to other parts of Asia including Japan (see komainu), Korea, Tibet, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, and Singapore
Statues of guardian lions have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. They are also used in other artistic contexts, for example on door-knockers, and in pottery. Pairs of guardian lion statues are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one sitting on each side of the entrance, in China and in other places around the world where the Chinese people have immigrated and settled, especially in local Chinatowns.
The lions are usually depicted in pairs. When used as statuary the pair would consist of a male leaning his paw upon an embroidered ball (in imperial contexts, representing supremacy over the world) and a female restraining a playful cub that is on its back (representing nurture).
Dimensions:
Height 42cm
Width 16.5cm
Depth 24.5cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point
This item is available for collection from our Wimbledon warehouses
Condition:
Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition
Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
Details
- CreatorChinese (Maker)
- Date of Manufacture18th Century
- ConditionDistressed
- WearWear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- DimensionsH 16.54 in. x W 6.5 in. x D 9.65 in.H 42 cm x W 16.5 cm x D 24.5 cm
- Seller LocationLondon, GB
- Sold AsSet of 2
- Reference NumberLU2823316647312
Buyer Protection Guaranteed
Our Promise To You: If you're not happy with the way an item arrived, we'll work with you and the seller to reach an optimal resolution. Read more
Shipping, Returns & Payment
- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexityShipping methods are determined by item size, type, fragility and specific characteristics.Shipping costs are calculated based on carrier rates, delivery distance and packing complexity.
- Return Policy
This item can be returned within 14 days of delivery.
View details
- Online Payment Methods1stdibs accepts the following payment methods
- Item InvoiceGenerate an invoice that you can customize and print.
About the Seller
5 / 5
Vetted
Platinum
1stdibs seller since 2017
Located in London, GB
More From This Seller
$1,543 Sale Price
40% Off
Rare Pair of Antique Glass 1920s Chinese Noblem...
Unknown
Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinese Export Glass
Glass
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare pair of frosted glass circa 1920 glass candlesticks of a Chinese nobleman and lady
I have never seen another pair like t...
Pair of French 19th Century Giltwood Louis XVI ...
Unknown
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Pedestals and Columns
Marble, Giltwood
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of lovely giltwood with Carrara white marble tops French mid-19th century Louis XVI pedestal columns
A very good looking and well-made...
$3,665 / set
Pair of Black Qing Dynasty Carved Dragon and Li...
Unknown, Chinese school
Antique 1870s Chinese Qing Furniture
Elm
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of rare Qing dynasty circa 1870 hand carved solid elm ebonised dragon and Lion Foo dog throne armchairs
A really rare an expe...
$1,543 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Redwood Dragon and ...
Unknown
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning rare Qing dynasty circa 1870 hand-carved solid elm lacquered dragon and Lion Foo dog throne armchair
A really rare an expertly han...
You May Also Like
$19,500 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions
Antique 19th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Limestone
Often referred to as “Foo Dogs” or “Fu Dogs” in western culture, these handsome stone sentinels are iconic gatekeepers seen throughout Asia. Traditional symbols of protection, they a...
Early 18th Century Chinese Guardian Lion Dog
Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Limestone
This stone guardian lion shizi is over 250 years old and was carved by hand out of a single block of limestone. With such a strong yet peaceful expression, this mythical fu lion dog ...
$3,749 Sale Price
25% Off
Qing Dynasty Hand-Carved 19th Century Chinese S...
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Stone
A 19th century Chinese Qing dynasty (1644-1911) hand-carved stone foo dog sculpture playing with a cub. The name foo dog is actually a mistake made in the west. In reality these impe...
Chinese Carved Stone Garden Guardian Lion
Antique 18th Century Chinese Archaistic Statues
Stone
The features of this stone Foo lion has been softened by being exposed to the elements for many centuries. Still a very handsome sculptural specimen made from carved stone, it is kno...
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Guardian Lion Dogs...
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Limestone
This pair of monumental Fu-Lions, also known as shizi, once would have flanked the entrance to a Qing-dynasty home in China’s Shanxi province. One has a pearl under its foot, and the...
$8,500 / set
Pair of Grey Stone Carved Foo Lions
Antique 18th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings
Stone
Pair of grey stone carved foo lions with good detail through out sit on top of detail base of dragons, rabbit and floral motif. Provenance: Acquired from Brunk Auctions.
$4,950 / set
Pair of Chinese Marble Foo Dogs
Vintage 1980s Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Marble
Large and impressive pair of Chinese sculpted marble foo dogs of excellent detail.
$1,800 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Pair of Large Chinese Gilt Temple Foo Dogs
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Lacquer
Impressive pair of well carved Foo dogs or lion statues in the manner and scale of temple carvings. Red lacquered wood with antiqued gilt accents. Male and female representatives wit...
Why Shop on 1stdibs?
Only Vetted, Professional Sellers
Buyer Protection Guaranteed
Fully Insured Global Deliveries