Pair of 19th C. Chinese Qing Gilt Wood Fu Lions

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

May 1, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-01 10:00:00 2025-05-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethno-fine-art-19334
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• Lot Description

  East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. This striking pair of carved wood Fu lions, powerful symbols, exudes a commanding presence. The rich texture of their deeply carved, wavy fur and the flourish of their bushy, curled tails add to their dynamic form. Scrolling beards accentuate their ferocious features, including bulging eyes, broad, flattened snouts, scowling, fanged mouths, and sharply pointed ears. Revered in China as household deities, Fu lions represent the auspicious qualities of success, prosperity, and unwavering guardianship. Fu lions are powerful and symbolic creatures frequently depicted in pairs as architectural ornaments and decorative motifs. These majestic figures, often rendered in stone or bronze, are traditionally placed at entrances to temples, imperial palaces, tombs, and even businesses or homes to ward off negative energy and protect the spaces within. Size (both the same): 6.7" L x 4.4" W x 9.5" H (17 cm x 11.2 cm x 24.1 cm)
  
  Male Fu lions are shown with a globe or embroidered ball under a paw, representing dominion over the world, while the female is depicted with a cub, symbolizing nurture and the cycle of life. Each of this pair of male Fu lions, which was placed in a wealthy home, stands on a carved pedestal.
  
  Other than the dragon, Fu lions are the most significant animal in Chinese mythology. Lions became strongly associated with Buddhism as the protectors of the Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, and became one of the primary symbols of Shakyamuni and of Buddhism itself. These mythological and spiritual animals have had many names both in Chinese and in English: Fu or Foo lions, guardian lions, Buddhistic lions, lions of Corea, Foo dogs, and dog-lions. With the arrival of Buddhism to China, local artisans turned to more familiar animals as prototypes since lions were not native to China. Their stylized appearance was modeled after Pekingese dogs and incorporated elements that blended feline features with a more mythical aesthetic, reflecting their unique place in East Asian culture. As guardians of Buddhism, they became emblems of strength and prosperity and were made to look fierce, but often with a touch of whimsy. While pairs of matching Fu lions were common in the Ming and Qing dynasties, fine pairs like this are extremely rare today.
  
  Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 - 2005
  
  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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  #193450

  Condition

  Some stable pressure fissures to wood, as well as areas of nicks and abrasions commensurate with age, but otherwise, both are intact and excellent with great preservation of gilding and pigments.

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