A pair of Foo dogs.

Pair of Foo dogs. Qing Dynasty, 20th century.
Carved from hard stone.
Measurements: 33 x 22 x 31 cm.
The Foo dog, resembling a lion, is an important symbol in Chinese Taoist culture and, due to its influence, also in Japanese and Thai cultures. It is associated with protection against evil spirits, which is why they are often depicted in pairs at the entrances to temples, imperial tombs, palaces, government buildings, etc. They are also known as Imperial Guardians and were very common in traditional Chinese art. They are believed to possess mythical powers of protection and appeared as early as the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) at the entrances to important buildings. Today, foo dogs are still commonly used as decorations and symbolic elements at the entrances of all kinds of buildings, from hotels to supermarkets. In fact, they can be found both in China and in other countries with Chinese immigrant populations.