Song Dynasty (960-1279) - Buddhist Bronze-Green-glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs
Figurines & Statues
$24,000
- Material
- Porcelain & Pottery
- Color
- Green
- Origin
- China
- Age / Period
- Pre-1800
- Dimensions
- Height: 9.5 inches (24cm), Width: 4.0 inches (10cm) at the lions' paws, Length: 6.0 inches (15.2cm)
- Condition
- Estate / Pre-owned
As described by the American Art Association in their 1924 Catalog: "Vigorously modeled in conventional forms, seated in haunches, on flat multilinear pedestals with curved feet and cusped fringe. They represent the mythical lions, called "dogs of Foo", the guardians of Buddhist temples and images. Both with open mouths, coats of waved lines and spreading tails. The male has right forepaw resting on ball of brocade and the female has left forepaw on a playful cub. Soft "pipe clay" pottery, covered with a thin glaze of light bronze-green of malachite color with mottlings of earthy green, giving a remarkable re-semblance to a very ancient bronze." PROVENANCE: Used to belong to A. W. Bahr and were part of his Chinese Art Collection during the early 20th century. They were purchased at an American Art Association Auction, in New York, in 1916, to become part of the Kano Oshima Collection. They were sold at another American Art Association Auction, in New York, in 1924. (lot 745) to an unknown collector. Photo #11 - from the American Art Association catalog for the 1924 auction. A single similar Foo Dog sold at auction at Sotheby's Hong Kong for 302,400 HKD (USD$38,682) on 17 December 2022 (Photo #12) The pair represent classic male and female lions which were used by the Chinese as symbols of protection for a home or workplace. During the Ming and Qing, and earlier Dynasties the pair are found as depicted here, with the female lion holding or caressing a cub, representing the cycle of life. The male lion is shown with its right paw over an 'embroidery ball', carved in a geometric pattern, representing supremacy over the world. Traditionally, the female lion is seen as protector of home occupants, while the male lion protects the structure of the house. The statues are in excellent preserved condition, with no chips or repairs. They are heavily patinated, and show some slight wear. ++MEASUREMENTS++ Height: 9.5 inches (24cm) Width: 4.0 inches (10cm) at the lions' paws Length: 6.0 inches (15.2cm)