{"product_id":"pair-of-antique-chinese-lacquered-wood-guardian-lions-foo-dogs-16","title":"Pair of Antique Chinese Lacquered Wood Guardian Lions (Foo Dogs) - 16\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBring a powerful sense of history, texture, and architectural scale to your interiors. This substantial, matched pair of Chinese Guardian Lions (Shishi) dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. Masterfully carved from solid wood, each figure sits dynamically atop a rare, stepped triangular plinth detailed with naturalistic rockery carvings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally serving as structural or balustrade terminals in a temple or grand estate, these figures feature a deeply weathered, dark reddish-brown lacquer over a traditional thick gesso ground. The undersides retain their deep, square structural mortises, grounding these pieces in their rich architectural past.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor interior designers and collectors alike, their impressive 16-inch height and rich, unrestored patina make them exceptional anchor pieces for a mantel, entry console, or library bookshelf.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchitectural Provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The hollow-core mortise bases tell an authentic story of historical Chinese craftsmanship and structural integration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare Plinth Design:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unlike standard block bases, these sit on dramatic, angular triangular rockery plinths that cast beautiful shadows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecorator-Grade Scale:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Standing over 16 inches high, they command immediate presence without overwhelming a curated tabletop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic Period (ca. 19th \/ early 20th Century)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lacquered and painted softwood over gesso ground\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 16 ¼\" H × 8 ¼\" W × 8\" D (each)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e [Insert weight here for shipping calculations]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Architectural Fragments \/ Sculptural Antiquities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresented in authentic, unrestored antique condition. Displays honest, expected age and use wear throughout. There are historic losses to the lacquer and gesso layers—particularly along the lower perimeter of the bases—exposing the underlying stabilizing textile and raw wood structure. Includes stable, natural contraction splits to the wood consistent with age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe believe these structural variations and surface losses establish undeniable character and authenticity. Please review all photos closely.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"I Ching Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47829826011188,"sku":null,"price":1950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0763\/4242\/7700\/files\/015DC78C-1ACC-4939-B5C5-67A522A7068E.png?v=1783999601","url":"https:\/\/ichingantiques.com\/products\/pair-of-antique-chinese-lacquered-wood-guardian-lions-foo-dogs-16","provider":"I Ching Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}