Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs / Guardian Lions

$5,596per set
$6,995per set20% Off
£4,297.19per set
£5,371.49per set20% Off
€4,929.55per set
€6,161.94per set20% Off
CA$7,863.04per set
CA$9,828.80per set20% Off
A$8,806.10per set
A$11,007.63per set20% Off
CHF 4,594.88per set
CHF 5,743.60per set20% Off
MX$107,562.78per set
MX$134,453.48per set20% Off
NOK 58,460.26per set
NOK 73,075.32per set20% Off
SEK 55,105.80per set
SEK 68,882.25per set20% Off
DKK 36,788.66per set
DKK 45,985.82per set20% Off

About the Item

Chinese, Ming Dynasty. Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs or Guardian Lions of extraordinary quality and casting. Procured from an important New York Collection. "Chinese guardian lions, or imperial guardian lions, are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament, but the origins lie deep in much older Indian Buddhist traditions. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi (石獅; shíshī). They are known in colloquial English as lion dogs or foo dogs / fu dogs. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball which represents the material elements and one female with a cub which represents the element of spirit— that 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."
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Chinese Export (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    17th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. You will note a layer of dust - because these are so old, I felt it was important to leave these as they are. No observed areas of loss of repairs.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU7838235266342

More From This Seller

View All
Pair of Vintage Chinese Export Turquoise-Glazed Porcelain Foo Dogs 13"
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely modeled pair of porcelain guardian lions—commonly referred to as “Foo Dogs”—is rendered in a brilliant turquoise glaze, a hallmark of Chinese decorative ceramics popular ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pair, Chinese Export Cloisonne Enameled Dragon Figurines on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 20th century. A pair of Chinese export style cloisonne dragon figurines on stands. Each dragon is detailed with brass wiring and hand enamel decorated across the surfaces. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair, Antique Italian Faience Renaissance Style Lions W/ Armorial Shields
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair, Antique Italian Faience Renaissance Style Lions W/ Armorial Shields. A wonderful pair of Italian faience Lions with armorial shields and...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Carved Gilt Wood & Polychrome Decorated Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite antique Chinese figure, carved from wood and adorned with gilding and polychrome decoration, showcases the exceptional artistry of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. L...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Giltwood

Pr, Meiji Period Japanese Gilt Bronze & Parchment Pierced Lanterns Hang Or Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese, (meiji era 1868–1912). An absolutely stunning pair of Japanese Meiji period gilt bronze and brass lanterns. Each hand cast bronze oval openwork "vase" form lantern crafte...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antiquities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Chinese Silver Gilt, Enamel & Turquoise Mounted Immortal Figurine
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Chinese Silver Gilt, Enamel & Turquoise Mounted Immortal Figurine. A very fine Chinese immortal figurine constructed using vermeil sterling silver intricately layered and f...
Category

20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

You May Also Like

Pair of Carved Wood and Gilt Finished Chinese Foo Dog Figurines or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of intricately hand carved and hand painted Foo dogs are believed to have made in the mid-20th century in the Imperial style. The dogs are composed of a softwood which have...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Softwood

Pair of Chinese Bronze Foo Dogs, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese bronze Foo dogs, 19th century.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Small Patinated Bronze Chinese Foo Dogs
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of small patinated bronze Chinese foo dogs, circa 1950s. Excellent vintage condition with amazing detail and a gorgeous patina. Each dog measures 4.25" high x 2.5" deep x 3.5" w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Gilt Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style gilt carved foo dog figures holding a open design ball
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

Antique PAIR of Chinese Bronze Foo Dogs good detail, Qing early 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very good PAIR of antique Chinese foo or lion dog sculptures, sometimes called temple lions, made of a brass-bronze metal alloy, with excellent detail, dating to the early 19th century, Qing period or possibly earlier back to the 18th century. They are a male and female pair, the male with the slightly larger head. These pieces are very well cast with good detail and wear, showing a very good depth of colour. Both dogs have a small hole on the top of the head for incense to be placed. Each piece weighs about 700gm unpacked Overall a lovely pair of antique Chinese Foo Dogs...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze, Metal, Brass

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