Chinese Guardian Lions in White Ceramic, Set of 2

Description

Rare pair of Important Guardian Lions / Fo Dogs / Shizi in ceramic with cracked white enamel.

China, Qing Dynasty, … more Rare pair of Important Guardian Lions / Fo Dogs / Shizi in ceramic with cracked white enamel.

China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century


Each Fo Dog / Shizi is seated on a wooden base, its mouth open with a beautiful expression, a necklace of bells around its neck, the male (the Yang) with its paw placed on a decorated ball called xiù qiú (which, in a imperial context, represents supremacy over the world), the female (the Ying) with her paw placed on her puppy (representing the cycle of life, education). Symbolically, the female protects those who reside within, while the male protects the structure.

These very stylized Guardian lions were supposed to protect the house from harmful influences.

In very good condition.

Dimensions:
height 50 cm
width 20 cm
depth 22 cm less