Vintage Bronze Chinese Foo Dog Pair Sitting On Pedestals Shishi Guardian Lions 5.5"H

This is a vintage pair of bronze statues of Chinese Foo Dogs. Chinese guardian lions, or imperial guardian lions, are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi (石獅 shíshī). They are known in colloquial English as lion dogs or foo dogs / fu dogs. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball and one female with a cub—which were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. Used in imperial Chinese palaces and tombs, the lions subsequently spread to other parts of Asia.

These statues are part of a larger collection of Asian bronze acquired by a local collector during the 1970's, 80's and 90's. It is assumed to be mid to late 20th century in origin and was not labeled. The sculptures stand 4 1/2" high by almost 1 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" long. They weigh 2 pounds 5 ounces. Having been carefully displayed and in storage for much of the past 40 years, with just a bit of oxidation on the bronze finish, they remain in  very good condition.