Fu Lion

Also known as fu dogs, foo dogs, lions of fu, or Buddhistic or Buddhist lions, fu lions were originally guardians of the Buddha and admired for their superhuman strength, valor, energy, and as protectors and mounts for religious beings. When Buddhism arrived in China along the Silk Road, lions were protective symbols for Shakyamuni-Buddha, the historical Buddha, and over time became a symbol of the Buddha, Buddhism and the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). Lions shares many traits with the Buddha. The Buddha had the stately gate of a king-lion. His sermons were compared to a lion’s roar which came to represent the wide spread of Buddhist law, the dharma. Buddha Shakyasimha means “lion of the Shakya clan” referring to his father, the king of the Shakya clan. Pairs of male and female stone fu-lions have been placed in front of imperial palaces, tombs, religious structures, government offices and residences of the rich for protection since the Han Dynasty. The male is placed on the east representing yang (male energy) and the female on the west symbolizing yin (female energy). Lions were not native to China, so artisans had to envision how to portray them and created a blend of the Indian lion and the Chinese Pekingese dogs who had “prominent eyes, short noses, and wispy, cloud-like stands of hair floating from their chins, the backs of their forelegs and their heels…” (Elise Mitchell) and that exhibit courage and a fierce temperament. Generally depicted in pairs of male and female, the male’s paw on a ball represents the jewel of the law, the moon pearl symbolizing blessings and the sun while the female’s paw on her pup symbolize protection. The male protects architectural structures, and the female the contents and inhabitants. Sometimes the male is open mouthed and the female close mouthed and a pair’s open mouths means they are silently emitting the blessed mantra “aum” (Mitchell) and Williams says a pair of lions playing with a ball also has that propitious wish. (p. 254) Sometimes they were pairs of males playing with a ball or smaller lone males are a wish for good fortune.

Sources:
Elsie P. Mitchell, The Lion-Dog of Buddhist Asia, Fugaisia, New York, 1991.
Williams, C.A.S.,Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs, Edison, Castle Books, N.D.

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    Antique Carved Box with Auspicious Symbols, China (11325B-GHL) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $325.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H: 6.375″ W: 10.75″ D: 7.125″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming carved and lacquered multi-use box opens from the top and has a side drawer with a metal pull. It is decorated with auspicious carved symbols for a good, healthy, prosperous and long life  Carved fu lion heads with flowing manes adorn the front and plum blossoms and a fan the front and frame.  Painted calligraphic phrases refer to a wish for many sons. It was likely a wedding gift to newlyweds and still for that or other purpose.

  • Antique Carved Lacquered Pair of Fu Lions on Pedestals, China (19074ASE) $995

    $995.00
    H: 12″ D: 7″ D: 7.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This very fine pair of antique carved males fu lions represents the dual nature of these mythical animals: as protective images they are powerful and fierce, as Buddhist images they are whimsical with smiling faces, dangling tongues, hanging ears and bushy tails. They are extremely well carved with harnesses and bells around their necks, detailed manes and tails on high intricately decorated bases to signal their importance. Perfect for enhancing feng shui in a home or office, large finely decorative wood pairs like this are extremely hard to find.

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    Antique Home Altar With Panel of Guanyin on Hǒu, China (19433BCK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $585.00.Current price is: $485.00.
    H: 9” W: 18.5” D: 5.875” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    As a wish for a prosperous and healthy family with many sons, this small table elegant probably was in a young couple’s bedroom to hold small personal statues and store precious items. Guanyin sits a hǒu holding lotuses in the right panel and the left has fertility symbols rats with melons.  It is perfect for creating a personal home altar and a unique wedding gift.

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

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 5.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Each of this whimsical gold and red-burgundy lacquered pair of male fu lions sits erect on a high pedestal heads thrown back with flaring ears,  bulging eyes, decorative stylized manes and a small bushy tail. Their spirituality is displayed by the pair silently emitting the blessed mantra “aum”: the open mouthed lion forming an “au,” and the other completing it with a closed mouth to form “mmm.” The workmanship on these pieces is masterful, although rustic and provincial, and they are rare with their Buddhist symbolism and because most pairs of  fu lions pairs were lost during China’s modernization.

     

     

  • Antique Lacquered Wood Pair Fu Lions, China (16735BSE) $595

    $595.00
    H: 4.25″  W: 2″  D: 0.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    During the Ming and Qing dynasties, small fu lion pairs were popular indoor and out door accessories. As protectors of Buddhism, fu lions are both menacing and friendly and this remarkably fanciful pair of crouching beasts joyously reflects both traits, with floppy ears, smiling open mouthed faces with tongues hanging out, and curled tails versus bushy eyebrows, bulging eyes and long pointed nails. Originally decorations on furniture with flat rear sides, they can stand alone as decorative accessories or even be a great pair of bookends. However they are used, they are guaranteed to bring a smile to those who are fortunate to see them on a regular basis.

  • Antique Mazu the Taoist Empress of Heaven in Horseshoe Chair, China (6003A-BCK) 1050

    $1,050.00
    H: 15.375” W: 8.625” D: 7.5” | FOR a  SHIPPING quote CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or email [email protected]

    This Mazu, the protector of sea farers, is portrayed as the imperially sanctioned “Empress of Heaven” seated on an elaborate horseshoe shaped dragon throne, hands clasped symbolically holding a hu tablet, adorned with elegant dragon robes, an official’s girdle, a flat-topped Empress headdress and small feet resting on a pair of gilt fu lions. Meant to be seen from all sides this beautiful carving is decorated on front and back.

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  • Antique Pair of Stone Fu Lions, China (17044BOE) $695

    $695.00
    H: 8” W: 5.5” D: 3.25” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This is a really great pair of stone small fu lions with lots of character, humor, and detailed carving. Each of these very joyous creatures has open mouthed smiling faces with radiant eyebrows and tufts below their chins, scalloped manes and bushy tails. Carved from one piece of a blackish hard stone they could easily withstand additional wear of the elements in a garden. Pairs of fu lions like this belong in the home of people who appreciate spirituality and wish for happiness and fortune along with a touch of wit and whimsy.

  • Sale!

    Antique Rare 5pc Piece Stoneware Altar Set, Shiwan Kiln, China (16901BLKE) $2950 SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $2,950.00.Current price is: $2,300.00.
    H: 15.25″ W: 24-30″ D: 5″ | EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING COST

    This rare 5 piece green glazed Shiwan stoneware altar set consists of a censor at the center flanked on each side by a pair of candlestick holders and vases. Each elegant piece has a coordinated glaze and decorative and structural designs with intricate, well-proportioned features to combine as a wish for symbolic wish for the fulfillment of all of one’s wishes including the 5-blessings (longevity, health, wealth, a virtuous life, a natural death).

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  • Antique Stone Fu Lion, China (16394JLM)

    $195.00
    H: 4.5″  Dia: 3.25″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This hand carved antique stone flu lion is a fun loving benevolent creature as seen in his open mouth with sharp teeth in a fanciful grin with a curled tongue, mischievously twinkling eyes under bushy eyebrows and a compressed rotund body with a very small tail. This is not your refined portrait of an elegant protective beast, it’s just a friendly pet hanging out . He probably lived in the garden of a provincial fun-loving family and is looking for a similar environment where people like old wonderful pieces to remind them not to take themselves too seriously.

  • Pair of Antique Fu Lions Holding a Spherical Plum Blossom, China (16477BCK)

    $395.00
    Each Carving    HT  : 5″  W: 4″  D: 2.5″  |   FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Each male lion of this pair holds a carved plum blossom between their paws symbolizing the sun, earth and a wish the Five Blessings of longevity, health, wealth, a virtuous life and a peaceful death. Likely connected to a woman’s bed  for protection, each is a wish for a successful life with many sons. Individually mounted on frosted acrylic stands.

  • Stoneware Green Glazed Censer, Shiwan Kiln, China (16901C-CKE) $1450

    $1,450.00
    Ht: 15.25″ W: 7.27″ D:5″ | CALL 213-568-3030 or EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This vibrant stoneware Shiwan censer is the central part of a 5-piece altar set featured in our Instagram post.  Placed in a special room considered the home’s center it was used to perform ritual offerings honoring ancestors deities to bring good fortune and long life and repel malevolent energy and spirits. Joss (incense) sticks were held inside, and smoke could waft from the lid. This truly special set should be kept in tact in the home of a lucky resident to continue to foster positive feng shui.

     

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