{"product_id":"pair-of-antique-chinese-carved-lacquered-wood-guardian-lions","title":"Pair of Antique Chinese Carved \u0026 Lacquered Wood Guardian Lions | Circa 1850 – 1920","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e China, possibly southern China\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-carved wood with dark lacquer, red polychrome pigment, and traces of ochre or gilt decoration\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic Period, circa 1850–1920\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA striking matched pair of antique Chinese carved and lacquered wooden guardian lions, traditionally known as \u003cem\u003eshishi\u003c\/em\u003e or Buddhist lions and commonly referred to in the West as Foo or Fu dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach powerful creature is presented in a mirrored crouching stance with one raised forepaw resting upon a patterned brocade ball. The spherical objects are carved with repeating geometric and floral cells, while the lions wear ornamental collars incorporating rope-like borders and prominent rounded pendants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheir dramatically modeled heads feature bulging eyes, open mouths, exposed teeth, broad snouts, and flame-like manes. Deeply incised lines define the sweeping hair, muscular bodies, raised tails, and layered ornamental details. Each lion stands upon an integral rectangular platform bordered with a continuous lotus-petal design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the more familiar male-and-female pairing in which one lion holds a ball and the other protects a cub, both members of this pair appear to hold similarly patterned brocade balls. Their reversed poses indicate that they were intended to be displayed together, possibly flanking a domestic altar, shrine, doorway, or ceremonial interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface retains an extensively aged dark lacquered finish with exposed areas of red pigment and scattered ochre or gilt-colored decoration. Natural wear has revealed the sculpture’s layered finish and hand-carved wooden construction, giving the pair a particularly evocative historic appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne lion retains an old, partially preserved paper collection or inventory sticker bearing handwritten numerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Matched pair of Chinese guardian lions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Mirrored protective poses\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Fierce open-mouthed expressions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Bulging eyes and broad stylized snouts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Deeply carved flame-like manes and raised tails\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Ornamental collars with rounded pendants\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Patterned brocade ball beneath one paw of each lion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Continuous carved lotus-petal base borders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Surviving dark lacquered finish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Visible red, ochre, and gilt-colored pigment layers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Deeply aged surface patina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Old handwritten collection or inventory sticker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGuardian lions have protected Chinese temples, palaces, government buildings, tombs, ancestral halls, and important residences for centuries. Although their stylized appearance can resemble a dog, they represent powerful mythical lions introduced into Chinese artistic traditions through Buddhism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally positioned in pairs, these figures symbolized protection, authority, prosperity, and balance. Their fierce expressions were intended to repel harmful spiritual influences, while their decorative collars and brocade balls emphasized their controlled strength and ceremonial status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSmaller wooden examples could be placed within domestic shrines or ceremonial interiors, where they provided the same protective symbolism as monumental stone or bronze lions positioned outside important buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFair to good antique condition consistent with age and historical use. Both figures exhibit substantial age-related surface wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBoth figures display natural shrinkage cracks, including prominent splits extending through portions of the integral bases. Additional fine cracks, separations, chips, abrasions, edge wear, and small losses are visible throughout the heads, ears, mouths, manes, paws, tails, brocade balls, and platforms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe lacquer and polychrome decoration display extensive flaking, rubbing, scratches, darkening, and pigment loss. Red preparation or pigment layers and scattered ochre or gilt-colored decoration remain visible where the dark surface has worn away. Dust and accumulated deposits are present within recessed areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach Figure:\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 6 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 3.8 in\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 3.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e106–176 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assembled with a particular focus on Chinese and broader Asian sculpture and traditional decorative arts. One lion retains an old, partially preserved handwritten collection or inventory sticker associated with its earlier collecting history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently sold through Waddington’s Auctioneers \u0026amp; Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1850, Waddington’s is a longstanding Canadian auction house with specialist departments devoted to Asian and international art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover a comparable Qing Dynasty pair of Chinese guardian lions in the collection of the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/searchcollection.asianart.org\/objects\/5765\/guardian-lion-one-of-a-pair\" title=\"Guardian Lion, One of a Pair – Asian Art Museum\"\u003eAsian Art Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ancient-chinese-artifacts-imperial-relics\" title=\"Ancient Chinese Artifacts and Imperial Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Ancient Chinese Artifacts \u0026amp; Imperial Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56009339470146,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_10.jpg?v=1788118750","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/pair-of-antique-chinese-carved-lacquered-wood-guardian-lions","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}