Pair of Hand-Carved Chinese Stone Foo Dogs (Shishi Guardian Lions) 20th C ~4"H

Pair of Hand-Carved Chinese Stone Foo Dogs (Shishi Guardian Lions), Early 20th Century
China, mid-20th century
Height: approximately 4 inches each

A finely carved and expressive pair of Chinese guardian lions, commonly known as Foo Dogs (石獅 shishi), sculpted from richly variegated smoky gray-green stone with natural amber and cream veining. Each figure is rendered in a seated position, exuding a bold yet playful character with wide grinning mouths, bulging eyes, and tightly curled manes—traits that symbolize vigilance, courage, and divine protection.

Guardian lions have stood as powerful symbols of protection in Chinese art for over a millennium, traditionally placed at temple gates, imperial palaces, and homes to repel negative forces and ensure prosperity. This pair, with their muscular forms and stylized detail, captures that same spirit on an intimate scale suited for tabletop or altar display.

The material exhibits natural translucence and organic marbling, enhancing the lifelike quality of the carvings. Both figures retain their intricately detailed tails, which show evidence of historic repair, consistent with age and handling of dense stone sculptures.

Condition: Minor abrasions and visible repairs to both tails; natural fissures and inclusions within the stone from carving; overall very good presentation and stability.

A distinctive and auspicious pair of early 20th-century Chinese stone Foo Dogs, masterfully hand-carved and full of personality—ideal as both decorative objects and emblems of protection and good fortune.