Pair of fo lions

Chinese Collection

Accession Nr.: 50.804.1
Type: sculpture; religious or cult object; lacquers
Date of production:
Around 1600
Ming dynasty
Place of production:
Materials: wood
Techniques: carved
Dimensions: height: 87 cm
width: 20 cm
length: 26 cm
Fo lions (“Buddha lions”) stand on each side of Chinese shrine and palace entrances. The lion was introduced in China as a gift of the Parthian king in the Eastern Zhou period (first century AD). The first stone sculptures of lions were also made during this time.