Items Similar to Dutch Colonial Period Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture – 18th Century
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Dutch Colonial Period Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture – 18th Century
$1,957.63
£1,450.10
€1,630
CA$2,678.52
A$2,914.44
CHF 1,543.16
MX$35,062.69
NOK 19,594.68
SEK 17,927.76
DKK 12,421.93
About the Item
18th-Century Dutch Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture with Inlaid Eyes
Sri Lanka (Dutch Ceylon), circa 1700–1790
Hand-carved Nadun wood (Pericopsis mooniana), inlaid eyes
Dimensions: 15 cm long × 14 cm high
Condition: Excellent with original patina, minor age wear consistent with 18th-century handling
A rare and finely carved guardian lion sculpture from Dutch Ceylon, dating to the 18th century, during the administration of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Executed in nadun, a dense tropical hardwood native to Sri Lanka, the figure is remarkable for its robust baroque stylization, compact proportions, and inlaid eyes — a high-status feature typically reserved for elite commissions.
This lion is sculpted with powerful haunches, a spiraling mane, and a tail that arcs vertically in classic Sinhalese-VOC hybrid style. The facial expression is animated and protective, with the inlaid eyes enhancing its symbolic “watchfulness.” The body is decorated with punctuated details, and the patina across high-relief areas reveals centuries of gentle handling.
Despite its modest scale, the sculpture demonstrates an advanced degree of craftsmanship, clearly intended as a freestanding symbolic object, likely for domestic display within a colonial residence. Guardian figures of this type were understood to offer protection, prestige, and status, blending indigenous beliefs with European aesthetics.
Notable Features
VOC-period craftsmanship with European and Sinhalese stylistic elements
Authentic 18th-century patina, undisturbed and richly developed
Inlaid eyes, likely of bone or shell — rare and intact
Carved from nadun wood (Pericopsis mooniana), a prized cabinet wood of the era
Symbolically resonant, likely used as a domestic guardian figure, not a souvenir or toy
Comparative Notes
Related examples held in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), Tropenmuseum, and National Museum of Colombo
Stylistically and materially aligned with 18th-century VOC furniture lions and altar ornamentation
- Dimensions:Height: 5.52 in (14 cm)Width: 5.91 in (15 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Style:Dutch Colonial (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Sri Lanka
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:18th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. normal age traces.
- Seller Location:Bilzen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10361245897482
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1987
1stDibs seller since 2025
27 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Bilzen, Belgium
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllChina, Kangxi Blanc De Chine Porcelain Incense Holder, Topped With A Lion, 18th
Located in Bilzen, BE
China – Blanc de Chine porcelain incense holder, surmounted by a Chinese lion, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Kangxi period) White porcelain statuette known as “blanc de Chine”, represe...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Bronze Flagpole Finial – Lion Rampant (Belgium, Late 19th Century)
Located in Bilzen, BE
Antique Bronze Flagpole Finial – Lion Rampant (Belgium, Late 19th Century)
A finely cast bronze flagpole top / finial featuring a powerful lion rampant in full three-dimensional for...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Other Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Terracotta Cat With Glass Eyes, In The Style Of Goldscheider, Circa 1900
By Friedrich Goldscheider
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Terracotta Cat With Glass Eyes, In The Style Of Goldscheider, Circa 1900 – Austria"
.
A charming and finely crafted Austrian terracotta sculpture of a seated cat, dating to the late...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Other Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
China, Bronze Scroll Weight Depicting A Seated Dog, Qing, 18th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
China - Bronze scroll weight depicting a seated dog, Qing dynasty, 18th century.
Beautiful old patina.
Height 9 cm, length 11.5 cm.
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Figurine Of A Monkey Carved In Tiger
s eye (stone) , early 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
A figurine of a fine quality monkey carved in tiger's eye (stone)
Monobloc carved
Height 9 cm
Early 20th century
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Revival Animal Sculptures
Materials
Precious Stone
Bronze Statue Of Nepalese Tara (royal Relaxation Position), Late 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Bronze Statue Of Nepalese Tara (royal Relaxation Position), Late 19th Century"
A finely cast bronze figure of Tara, seated in lalitasana (royal ease pose) atop a double-lotus base. ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Nepalese Tibetan Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
You May Also Like
LARGE DECORATIVE VINTAGE MiD CENTURY HAND CARVED CHINESE LION FOO DOG STATUE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, vintage hand carved Chinese Foo Lion Dog statue with original pa...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Baroque Handcarved Lion Sculpture, Italian or Austrian
By Antonio Raggi
Located in Vienna, AT
Early fine carved sculpture of a lying lion. Attributed to the circle of Alessandro Vittoria, located in northern Italy/ Venice. Original late Renaissance or early Baroque figure.
T...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Decorative Carved Wood Lion Sculpture
Located in London, GB
An artisanal hand carved wooden lion sculpture believed to be German from the early 20th Century.
Impressive large scale, heavy in weight and featuring excellent craftsmanship with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
18th Century Folk Carved Lion
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming 18th century carved and painted lion in repose, having full mane and growling expression. Wonderful naive quality and retaining original paint decoration.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century European Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Carved and Painted Temple Lion, Pixiu or Foo Dog
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Carved and Painted Temple Lion, Pixiu or Foo Dog
This fierce looking beast dates from the 19th Century, he is carved in wood and was originally painted Much of the paint 1s fad...
Category
Antique 19th Century Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Teak
Vintage Boho Hand-Carved Lion Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This hand-carved wooden sculpture depicts a lion in a crouched, powerful stance, with one paw extended forward and its head slightly bowed, as if mid-prowl or in a moment of tension....
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
More Ways To Browse
18th Century Colonial Furniture
Dutch East India Company
Voc Antique
Dutch Voc
Sri Lankan Antique Furniture
Colonial Sri Lankan
Singer On Sale
Tinsel Tree Antique
Vintage Belsnickle
Vintage Christmas Tree Toppers
Vintage Portable Tvs
1950s Phone
Antique Bar Memorabilia
Antique Brass Cash Registers
Antique Furniture Logos
Antique Leather Chaps
Antique Masonic Memorabilia
Antique Mercury Glass Tree Topper