Pair of Vintage Cloisonné Enamel Guardian Lions – Gilt Bronze Foo Dogs, Blue Ground

Details

Description

This is a striking pair of vintage cloisonné enamel guardian lions, also known as Foo Dogs or scholar's desk lions. … Read more This is a striking pair of vintage cloisonné enamel guardian lions, also known as Foo Dogs or scholar's desk lions. Each lion is seated upright in a protective, alert posture, with its head turned slightly outward. The bodies are richly decorated in cloisonné enamel against a deep cobalt blue ground, featuring scrolling vine patterns and colorful stylized blossoms in red, orange, yellow, and green. The heads, curly manes, tails, paws, and decorative collars with bells are finished in a contrasting dark, gilt bronze tone with a warm, aged patina. The pair is classically posed: the male lion (on the right) rests his paw on an openwork brocade ball, while the female lion (on the left) playfully tends to a cub. The maker notes these are auspicious beasts meant for a scholar's desk or home display. A highly decorative and collectible pair.

Dimensions & Measurements (per lion):

Length: 21 cm (approx. 8.27 inches)

Width: 10 cm (approx. 3.94 inches)

Height: 19 cm (approx. 7.48 inches)

Total Weight (pair): approx. 5030 g (approx. 11.09 lbs) See less