Antique Lacquered Fu Lion Candle Holder Pair, China (16065BAE) $395

Description

Fu-Lions have been revered for their superhuman strength, valor and energy, and their role as protectors and mounts for religious beings and since lions were not native to China, Pekingese dogs became prototypes for these mythical animals. They are often in pairs with the male’s paw on a ball and the female’s on her cub with the male protecting the architectural structure, and the female its contents and inhabitants. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, small decorative statues became popular in private homes or gardens or on a home altar as stand-alones, or as decorative motif on buildings, furniture, or textiles to bring fu and protect the home’s inhabitants. They were popular Folk Art accessories and, as here, conformed to artistic traditions. They are sejant (sitting erect with forefeet on the ground), have short thin bodies covered with rows of hair and a trifid (three-part) tail. and covered in auspicious colors: gold reflecting a lion’s golden sable color and red for good fortune. As Buddhist images they are a reminder that sentient beings should live in peace and with compassion. They are guardian figures with menacing yet whimsical demeanors. In feng shui they should be placed on either side of doors, entryways, or windowsills looking forward, the male on the right, the female on the left and if both males, raised paws facing each other to balance positive and negative energy . Small pairs should be in one room or central location on the same table or shelf. Carved from one piece of wood including pedestals, this pair is in very good condition with signs of wear consistent with age and use, with a chip on one ear. Antique pairs are relatively scarce. They are part of the VA Collection of Buddhist-Art.

Sources

Elsie P. Mitchell, The Lion-Dog of Buddhist Asia, New York, Fugaisia, 1991.