Pair of Shiwan Ceramic Polychrome Foo Dogs Sculptures, Hand-Applied Coils

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A striking pair of vintage Shiwan polychrome Foo Dogs (or Lion Dogs), modeled with lively posture, expressive faces, and richly … Read more A striking pair of vintage Shiwan polychrome Foo Dogs (or Lion Dogs), modeled with lively posture, expressive faces, and richly layered glazes in cobalt, celadon, apricot, and oxblood. Their form and finish reflect the stronger work of the mid-century Shiwan revival, where artisans reinterpreted late-Qing guardian lions with brighter palettes and high sculptural detail.
Typical of higher-grade Shiwan workshop pieces, the details are built entirely by hand—from the curled mane tufts and individually formed teeth to the fully applied, dimensional tongues. Each dog rests a paw on a pierced brocade ball, a classic motif symbolizing protection and vigilance.
A true "mirror image" pair, they have a substantial presence without overwhelming your space. Perfect for your console, entryway, or bookcase where their color and movement will add a bold decorative accent.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE
The high-relief Shiwan guardian lions of this mid-century revival period draw directly from late-Qing workshop traditions, which prized hand-crafted sculptural components. By the 1950s–1970s, Shiwan kilns revived this sculptural language with brighter, export-oriented glazes, consciously relying on artisan workmanship rather than molded shortcuts. This pair exemplifies that brief window of craftsmanship: the applied coils, dimensional tongues, and saturated polychrome glazes place them among the stronger, more collectible examples of the revival era—pieces valued today for both their artistry and their connection to historic Shiwan techniques.

THE PRINCIPLES PERSPECTIVE
The value in this pair lies in the investment of hand-built Shiwan work from the mid-century revival era. Before production shifted to molded, mass-market figures, workshop artists still constructed the manes, tongues, and teeth coil-by-coil and element-by-element. That level of labor—and the saturated, multi-layered glaze palette—places this pair in the upper tier of postwar Shiwan guardians. As authentic, high-skill revival pieces continue to tighten on the market, well-preserved matched pairs like this hold both collector and long-term decorative desirability.

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