Bronze incense burners - Fu Dog (temple dogs) - China - 19/20th century

Bronze incense burners - Fu Dog (temple dogs) - China - 19/20th century

Particularly attractive pair of Chinese bronze incense burners in the shape of waking fu dogs or temple dogs. Beautifully detailed and signed on the inside. Late 19th, early 20th century.

Chinese guardian lions, or imperial guardian lions, are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament, but their origins lie deep in much older Indian Buddhist traditions. Usually made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi. They are colloquially known as lion dogs or foo dogs/fu dogs.
Statues of protective lions traditionally stood in front of Chinese imperial palaces, imperial tombs, government buildings, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy and were believed to have powerful mythical protective benefits. They are also used in other artistic contexts, for example on door knockers and in pottery and bronzes. Pairs of protective lion statues are still common and symbolic elements at the entrances of restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one on each side of the entrance.

Status report: In good condition
Dimensions: 11x5.5x9cm
Weight: 1.2kg

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