Vintage Japanese Ceramic Foo Dog Guardian Lions – Pair

Details

Description

A striking vintage pair of Japanese ceramic Foo Dogs, or guardian lions, with exceptional decorative presence.

Rendered in a sophisticated … Read more A striking vintage pair of Japanese ceramic Foo Dogs, or guardian lions, with exceptional decorative presence.

Rendered in a sophisticated palette of crisp white ceramic with rich cobalt blue detailing and gilt accents, the pair features wonderfully expressive faces, elaborate scrolling manes and the traditional opposing guardian composition.

Substantial in both scale and weight, these are particularly effective as statement pieces. Display them together on a console, mantel or library cabinet, flank an entryway, or incorporate them into a collected interior alongside blue-and-white porcelain, chinoiserie and other Asian decorative arts.

The undersides retain vintage Japanese identification/markings, supporting their Japanese manufacture. An older Macy’s New York label provides an especially appealing piece of retail history and suggests that the pair was originally offered through an upscale American department-store environment.

Their combination of Japanese origin, substantial construction and highly decorative blue, white and gold coloration makes them exceptionally versatile for interiors ranging from traditional and Hollywood Regency to Grandmillennial, Chinoiserie and eclectic collected design.

Country of Origin: Japan
Estimated Year: 1975
Period: 1970s
Item Type: Vintage / Pre-owned
Materials: Ceramic / glazed ceramic
Primary Colors: White, cobalt blue and gold
Styles: Japanese, Asian, Chinoiserie, Hollywood Regency

Condition

Very good vintage condition with age-appropriate signs of use and handling. Vintage labels and/or markings remain present on the undersides. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Sold as a matched pair.

Provenance / Identification

Vintage Japanese manufacture with surviving underside markings/labels and an older Macy’s New York retail label.

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