Antique Lacquer and Gilt Pair of Fu Lions, China (16556ZOK)

Description

During the Ming and Qing dynasties fu lion images were especially popular in smaller versions used in private homes on home altars, as free-standing decorative Buddhist statues, design elements on furniture and architecture and on utilitarian objects like candlestick holders and bed posts to bring blessings of fu and prosperity. In the Buddhist tradition, they remind us that all sentient beings should live in peace and with compassion. Despite being protective guardians, small fu lions were often portrayed as more friendly than fierce. These gold and red lacquer coated sejant fu lions are whimsically portrayed with heads cast upwards, flaring ears, and bulging eyes. Incised lines of their manes cover their heads, backs, and leg backs and ribbons are draped around their necks over a long strand of fur reaching their high pedestals. Carved from one piece of wood, they are covered in auspicious colors: gold reflecting their “golden sable color like a lion” and red associated with fu. Fu lions were mostly presented as a pair with a male and a female, but here both are male as indicated by their curved front paws resting on a ball which is said to represent the moon pearl symbolizing blessings, the sun which is yang, or the “flower of life.”  These carvings were created by a provincial artisan who took great liberties in depicting these mythical animals.  One has an open mouth, the other a closed mouth, usually seen in a pair with a male and a female. The symbolic portrayal is an artistic liberty, since in sacred Buddhist images, the male and female together silently emit the blessed mantra “aum”: the male begins with his mouth open forming an “au,” and the female completes it with her closed mouth  to form “mmm.” Fu lions are frequently used in fend shui to balance the positive and negative energy (chi) of their environment and should be placed together in one central location.The workmanship on these pieces is masterful, although rustic and provincial, and they are in excellent condition given their age and use with some damage to one base. Antique wood fu lion s are rare, especially in pairs as most were lost during China’s modernization.