Very Rare Pair of 18th Century Chinese Marble Temple Lion Guardians Foo Dogs

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About the Item

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.

Dimensions:
Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)Length: 16.54 in (42 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Qing (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Marble,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
18th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
Seller Location:
West Sussex, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2823316647312

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