Early Antique Chinese Sancai Glaze Stoneware Foo Dog Roof Tile

Beautiful pair of Chinese glazed terra cotta foo fogs roof tiles. Amazing sculpting details and colors.

A fantastic piece. Wonderfully glazed and colored work of a seated man with brightly colored robes riding a mythical galloping horse. We believe this is Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) bu...

A remarkable pair of large Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earthenware Imperial roof decorations - ornamental architectural terracotta roof tile beasts. 15th/16th century or earlier, Northern China, most likely Forbidden City, Dongcheng District, Beijing, figural pottery modeled as mythical qilin (foo dog / guardian lion), the crouching beast with legs back and flaming body depicted ready to pounce. Retaining partial remnants of the red wax export seal, indicating they are authentic and were legally exported out of the country. Dimensions: (approx) Largest: 18" Tall, 19" Wide, 8" Deep History: Chinese roof tiles have been a part of Chinese architecture for over 2,000 years. These unique and beautifully crafted tiles have become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, and have gained international recognition for their beauty and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the different types of Chinese roof tiles, their construction, cultural significance, preservation and restoration techniques, and modern uses. Chinese imperial roof decorations or roof charms or roof-figures (Chinese: 檐獸/檐兽; pinyin: yán shòu) or "walking beasts" (Chinese: 走獸/走兽; pinyin: zǒu shòu) or "crouching beasts" (Chinese: 蹲獸/蹲兽; pinyin: Dūn shòu) were statutes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire. Only official buildings (palaces, government buildings, and some temples) were permitted to use such roof decorations. Occasionally arranged in an outward marching procession with various different examples, the number and type indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. With a maximum number of nine, the mythical beast was one of the highest in rank, thus modeled set to pounce upon the man and lower ranking creatures, ready to devour them should they stray from performing their duties with faithfulness and rectitude The Design and Construction of Chinese Roofs: The roof design is an important aspect of Chinese architecture, with each component of the roof playing a specific role. Chinese roof tiles fit into the overall design of the roof and are placed on top of wooden supports called purlins. The interlocking system of Chinese roof tiles ensures that they stay in place and prevent leaks. Ridge tiles...

This incredible pair of sancai-glazed Chinese roof tiles were once installed as part of the elaborate roof of a Ming-dynasty temple or grand courtyard home. Dated to the 17th century...

These monumental Chinese roof tiles were once installed as part of the elaborate roof of a Ming-dynasty temple or grand courtyard home. Dated to the 17th century or earlier, the scul...

A very unusual antique Chinese pottery roof tile depicting Guanyin riding on the back of a goose and believed to date from the late Qing period. The hollow formed earthenware figure stands raised on a rounded ridge tile...

A stoneware figure depicting a seated armored warrior with a striking pose circa 15th-17th century. He is likely one of the four heavenly kings, th...

A very fine pair Chinese Qing sancai glazed pottery dog of Foo incense holder figures dating from the 18/19th century. The figures stand raised on hollow rectangular pierced pedestal altar shaped bases with a draped cloth to the front and back. The figures are well detailed and are modeled, one resting a paw on a ball and the other with a puppy dog. The dogs have their customary open mouths revealing teeth with pierced nostrils and bulging black eyes. The figures support a tall column formed incense stick holder...

A stoneware shrine model with a figurine made in Ming dynasty (15th-17th century) in China and used as funeral burial objects. It is not known whether the two objects were originally associated, but they display similar glaze and oxidation and were in the same collection. The stoneware building is an architectural rendering of a typical ancestor shrine used at the time. It features a single room behind an elaborate front with double doors, under a multiple layered eaves. There are great architectural and decorative details throughout. The green glaze shows a wonderful silvery oxidation, an indication that the piece was buried in the ground. The side appears to be glazed lightly originally and some scrape marks and oxidized glaze residues remains. The back is unglazed. The figure is a typical tomb figurine...

Marvelous antique foo lion dog sculpture in green glazed ceramic. This outstanding object was hand-made in the early 1900s. This fine quality ceramic scu...