Chinese Wood Table Lamp

A foo lion sits on a stump, guarding a lantern that is far too tall for him to reach.

This table lamp comes from China and is contemporary, in carved wood. Foo lions, the guardian lions of Chinese tradition, are commonly set at gates and doorways and are generally taken as protectors. Here a squat lion with a curly mane and bared teeth sits on a rough wooden block. A slim post rises behind him to a square lattice lantern, its open grid set with pale translucent panes and resting on a dark wooden tray. The wood is darkened and worn on the high points. It is 8 inches long, 6.5 deep and 33 high.

Night duty suits him.