Chinese Hand Carved Foo Lion

A small lion sits with his chest out and his beard neatly combed.

This hand carved Foo lion is from China and dates to the late 19th to early 20th century. It is boxwood. Foo lions, or guardian lions, are generally placed in pairs at gates and entrances in China and are also carved in small sizes for the desk or shelf. This one sits upright, with a curly mane, a long, tufted beard and an open mouth with fangs showing. The chest is ribbed in bands, and the front paws have sharply cut claws. The wood is a warm honey brown, polished by handling. It is 2 inches wide, 3 deep and 3.5 high.

Small, ferocious, and carved to be held.