Private Collection
| Antique
Chinese Gilded Iron Fu
Dogs Pair Late Qing,
circa: late 19th century Male:
H 11 in.(28cm.) x W 11 in.(28cm.), D 13 in.(33cm.) Female: H 9.5 in.(24cm)
x W 11 in.(28cm) x D 15 in.(38cm) This
pair of exceptionally fine iron fu-dogs at play is a rare find from an estate
collection. The male with a sphere, and female with a cub beneath her paw, both
of their massive heads are looking up, bulging eyes, square open jaws, and finely
striated manes. Rising flames on their bodies indicated that they are sacred creatures.
Though these beasts have the appearance of the Chinese guardian lions, their hovering
position of wide stretched feet and arched backs, frolicking in twist and turn
as if onto themselves, such rhythmic movement emanates an unusual playfulness
that set them apart from the traditional guardian lions; both in sculptural composition
and historic significance.
The lion is not indigenous to China, it was originally introduced to China
as the protector of Buddhist dharma around the 1st century. They became an ever
recurring symbol in Chinese culture, gradually transformed into imperial guardians,
and came to represented power of the ruling class. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911),
the ruling Manchu which derived its name from the Manjushri Buddha who rides on
a lion. While systematically absorbed into the Chinese culture, the Manchu capitalized
on their own interests on the guardian lion, indirectly promoted a new rendition
of guardian lions with the Tibetan tribute of lion dogs. These playful lap dogs
rode on the high crest of imperial favors. Their introduction as guardian lion
spelled a herald in form and appearance of all the fu-dogs to come throughout
the Chinese art and legend, thus the transformation of Pekingese fu-dog into Chinese
guardian lion. |