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Absolutely beautiful quality set of male and femaleChinese Foo Lions (or sometimes, Fu) Dog hand carved from solid blocks of top-qualitysoapstone. The craftsmanship of the carving is so much better than theknock-off copies of resin or concrete you see so often. The soapstone isbeautifully striated throughout the carvings and is genuine soapstone,discernable by the smooth, waxy feel when rubbed and by its soft luster. Likejade and like hematite, genuine soapstone feels cool to the touch; hold a pieceup to your cheek and feel how much cooler it seems than the temperature of theroom. The pair is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, or scratches.
The magnificent carvings stand (sit, actually) 7 ½” tall on theirpedestals of 4 ¾” L by 3” W. The female carving weighs 4 lbs, 14.5 ounces andthe male weighs 4 lbs, 14.7 ounces. If you are wondering which is which, youcan tell by looking at the object under the Foo Dog Lion’s raised paw; thefemale always has her paw resting on a Foo Dog Lion pup and the male’s paw isresting on a ball. The pup and ball show the same fine carving – the ball isembroidered, which in Chinese imperial context represents supremacy over theworld, and the pup is carved on its back, playing with its mother’s paw,denoting nurturing and the cycle of life.
These Foos are expertly hand carved with intricate detail;the hair on the manes and face is carved hair by hair, each tuft of the mane isindividually shaped, and you can even see the claws carved on the paws. Themouths are open (knock-offs often have one or both closed as that is less workand therefore cheaper to produce) and even the teeth are individually shaped. Thebase too is decorated with a carved cloth folded under the Foo, decorated with anapple blossom on the fold. These are guardian Foos, originating in ChineseBuddhism and used to guard temples, tombs, and palaces or abodes from evilinfluences or harmful people. From China, the Foos spread to other Asiancountries and are today admired for their strength and grace as well asprotective qualities.
The Foos sit on solid bases, not hollow, with six felt padson the bottom to prevent furniture scratching. I have owned them for aboutthirty-five years. They were carved as a set of bookends, so combine beautywith usefulness. They are an impressive pair and would be a wonderful Christmaspresent for the collector of Chinese art, hand-carved artifacts, Foo Lions, orminerals like soapstone.
Please check my seller’s response and offer with confidence.The Foos will be carefully packed, double-boxed separately inside the shipping box for a shipping weight of 11lbs, 7 ounces. They will be mailed Parcel Select with no charge for packing.
