Lot 99
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 17th to 19th century CE. A charming pair of Buddhist foo lions or foo dogs (also "fu" lion or "fu" dog) carved from a calcite stone, each one recumbent upon an integral plinth, with head turned inwards and the forepaw resting on a ball. The "foo dog" is a western name for the Chinese "shi shi", the guardian lions that protected sacred buildings against evil. Lions were brought to ancient Chinese courts as early as the Han dynasty, but most artists relied on second-hand sources for descriptions, resulting in very stylized figures, often mistaken as dogs by western viewers. The celestial lion was regarded as a powerful animal with mythical qualities relating to Buddhism and royalty. Often portrayed in a pair with a male and female creature to represent the balance between Yin and Yang. Size: 11" L x 10" W x 24.5" H (27.9 cm x 25.4 cm x 62.2 cm)
Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960-2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#173461
- Condition: Retouched in modern times with surface details re-carved into both. Facial features and lines across bodies of both. Weathering to surface and stable fissures across the bodies of both. Chips and abrasions throughout.
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|---|---|---|
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |