Okimono - Foo Dog (fo, Fu), Ivory, China, 19th Century.

Small ivory sculpture representing a Buddhist lion - Foo Dog (Fo, Fu). The sculpture is made with great attention to detail and is partially colored. In Chinese, "Fo" meant Buddha, and a Fo dog is therefore a Buddha dog. Traditionally, in China, the pair was placed in front of Buddhist temples and, later, in front of imperial palaces or important state buildings. The lion was introduced into Chinese culture from India during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). The Chinese did not know exactly what this animal looked like, which did not live in their country. This is why carved lions looked somewhat like dogs, and the way they were depicted became "standardized" in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The carvings were believed to protect the cattle and their guests from any evil power.

Ivory. China, 19th century.

Length 8 cm, height 4.5 cm, depth 2.5 cm.

Very good state of preservation.

According to the Washington Convention (CITES), the object is allowed to be traded because of its time of creation (before 1947).

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