Vintage Sancai Glazed Foo Dog

Description

Vintage Sancai Glaze Foo Dog.

Sancai glaze is a type of decoration popularized in the Tang Dynasty, around 700 AD. … more Vintage Sancai Glaze Foo Dog.

Sancai glaze is a type of decoration popularized in the Tang Dynasty, around 700 AD. Sometimes referred to as “egg and spinach” for their use of green, yellow, and white, these pieces were typically used as grave goods, with the belief that these items would become available for the service of the deceased in the afterlife.

Colloquially referred to as “Foo Dogs”, these statues are actually lions that typically resemble a Chow Chow or Shih Tzu, which is where they got their name. They were originally displayed outdoors, standing sentry outside palaces, temples, and houses of the wealthy. This statue is of a male Foo Dog, which represents yang and is designed to protect the building’s structure. Male Foo Dogs hold a ball, representing the world, while females hold a puppy, representing nature or a nurturing spirit. less