Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions

$16,900per set
$26,000per set35% Off
£12,800.18per set
£19,692.59per set35% Off
€14,700.57per set
€22,616.26per set35% Off
CA$23,682.43per set
CA$36,434.50per set35% Off
A$25,747.57per set
A$39,611.65per set35% Off
CHF 13,651.39per set
CHF 21,002.14per set35% Off
MX$308,648.11per set
MX$474,843.25per set35% Off
NOK 173,502.19per set
NOK 266,926.45per set35% Off
SEK 158,951.60per set
SEK 244,540.92per set35% Off
DKK 109,868.12per set
DKK 169,027.87per set35% Off

About the Item

Often referred to as “Fu Dogs” in western culture, these handsome stone sentinels are iconic gatekeepers seen throughout China and elsewhere in Asia. Traditional symbols of protection, they are made from durable materials like bronze or stone and are presented in pairs to flank either side of a threshold. While their decoration style varies by culture and religion, handsomely carved and highly detailed pairs were universally indicative of power; initially reserved for temples, royal palaces and the wealthiest of families. This specific pair is depicted standing on all fours, having curled manes and tails, each with teeth bared—mouths slightly open showing their tongues—draped in a decorative banner and adorned with bells below their necks. The flat, notched area on the back is for supporting a wooden column. The pair of Fu Dogs once held up a roof section and kept the columns safely elevated above moist earth below, increasing the lifespan of the structure. They were placed horizontally with heads inside, looking out toward the visitor.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 43 in (109.22 cm)Depth: 13 in (33.02 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Early 19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. They have a somewhat "melted" appearance due to their great age and exposure. Also, sandstone is fairly soft and does gradually dissolve in rain.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 16M010091stDibs: LU88644271283

More From This Seller

View All
A Pair on Antique Limestone Lions, France c.1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique pair of tufa limestone garden lions dates to the early 19th century and came from southern France or possibly, Italy. The lions are quite regal in appearance and hold he...
Category

Early 20th Century French Animal Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

A Han Dynasty Terracotta Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
A large Chinese terracotta tomb figure (Ni Yong) from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), likely from the area of modern-day Sichuan. It appears to depict a groom in full costume an...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Terracotta

A Han Dynasty Terracotta Figure
$12,600 Sale Price
30% Off
A Carved Marble Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
The Marble stools are decorated with protruding lion heads that also act as handles. The marble was sourced in Hebei Province, near Beijing. Price for each.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Stools

Materials

Marble

A Carved Marble Stool
$1,300 Sale Price / item
50% Off
Pair of Patinated Gilt Bronze Buddhist Apostles
Located in Chicago, IL
These marvelously fluid and artistic figures were cast from bronze in the style of Northern Thailand and Burma. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha had two first Chief Disciples, Sāriputta and Moggallāna. They were wealthy young men seeking after higher knowledge and enlightenment and always depicted in elegant robes and often with unshaven heads. Depictions of these greatly -revered apostles are often found along side Buddha statues and holy angels...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

A Late 19th Century Chinese Stone Urn
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive limestone urn came from Shanxi Province, dates to the late 19th century and used to hold water. Given its relatively limited capacity, it was probably mostly decorat...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Urns

Materials

Limestone

Carved Teak Indian Temple Column
Located in Chicago, IL
This monumental Indian column once supported part of the entrance or courtyard cloister in a grand mansion. Originally part of a series, this individual column is all that remains. The piece comes in multiple stacked segments, distributing the weight of the original structure from its floral motif capital through its stone plinth. Only one is available. Origin: Rajasthan, India, 19th century. During the colonial period, Indian traders amassed huge fortunes and some of that wealth found its way into mansions and palaces. A hundred or more years later, many (if not most) of these structures are obsolete or the fortunes of their owners have dwindled. Many are in urban areas in which land is very valuable now and aggressively sought for multi-storey buildings. Old single-storey mansions are often disassembled piece-by piece and the parts sold on the international market. India is one of very few countries that have the labor supply to decommission old structures in this meticulous way. The column could be used in an architectural, load-bearing way or as a free-standing decoration...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Pedestals and Columns

Materials

Stone

Carved Teak Indian Temple Column
$2,860 Sale Price
35% Off

You May Also Like

Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Statues

Materials

Stone

Pair Of Chinese Hardstone Guardian Lions
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of hand carved Chinese Jade hardstone Foo Lions or Fu Dogs. This pair of Chinese spinach jade appears to be a nephrite, covered vases having a figural foo lion design with raise...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Pair of Carved Stone Chinese Guardian Lion Statues
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
In Asian culture, the lion-like guardian lion or foo dog is a symbol of protection and guardianship. Beautifully carved into sandstone, this large pair of foo dog statues once flanke...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Garden Ornaments

Materials

Sandstone

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century carved limestone Fu dogs with sinister smiles and furled brows once guarded the entrance to one of provincial China's grand homes. One peers up and the othe...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of limestone fu lion-dogs once protected a grand courtyard home in 19th-century China. Skillfully carved in attentive postures, the mythical lions are known as “shizi,” pow...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Carved Stone Foo Dogs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Chinese carved stone foo dogs. Very nice substantial size. Each with moveable ball in mouth. 6.5" x 4" wide 9" tall. Add some Asian style to your design project.
Category

Vintage 1950s Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone