CHINA 1900 QING DYNASTY SOAPSTONE SEAL-STAMP WITH A RESTING FOO DOG

SOAPSTONE SEAL STAMP WITH A RECLINED FOO-DOG.

A CHINESE SOAPSTONE SEAL STAMP FROM THE PERIOD OF THE QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1900.

IT WAS FINELLY HAND CARVED FROM A SINGLE PIECE OF GRAYISH-BROWNISH SOAPSTONE DEPICTING THE RESTING FIGURE OF THE MYTHOLOGICAL FOO DOG, LOOKING FORWARD.

HAVE A MEASURES OF 2 BY 1 BY 1 Inches (5.08 x 2.54 x 2.56 Cm).

THE FOO DOG OR PHO DOG, IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENT. TYPICALLY MADE OF STONE OR JADE, THESE DECORATIONS ARE ALSO KNOWN AS STONE LIONS OR "SHISHI". FOO DOGS THAT ARE PLACED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE A BUILDING ARE MEANT TO PROTECT YOUR HOME OR WORKPLACE FROM NEGATIVE ENERGY. IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENT. TYPICALLY MADE OF STONE, THESE DECORATIONS ARE ALSO KNOWN AS STONE LIONS OR "SHISHI". FOO DOGS THAT ARE PLACED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE A BUILDING ARE MEANT TO PROTECT YOUR HOME OR WORKPLACE FROM NEGATIVE ENERGY.

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS MYTHICAL LION SYMBOLISM FROM THE INDIAN CULTURE, SPECIALLY THROUGH BUDDHIST SYMBOLISM, STATUES OF GUARDIAN LIONS HAVE TRADITIONALLY STOOD IN FRONT OF CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACES, IMPERIAL TOMBS, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TEMPLES AND THE HOME OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE WEALTHY, FROM THE HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-220 AD), AND WERE BELIEVEDTO HAVE POWERFULMYTHIC PROTECTIVE BENEFITS.

PROVENANCE: A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN NEW YORK CITY COLLECTED IN THE 1964; T.K. ASIAN ANTIQUITIES GALLERY, WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA; A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN PALM BEACH FL; THEN PURCHASED BY JAMES & NANCY MARKELL, VIRGINIA 1976; THEN BY DESCENT TO LAUREN MARKLAND, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL.; ACQUIRED IN PALM BEACH, FL. IN MARCH 7, 2021.

IT IS IN VERY GOOD AND ORIGINAL CONDITION, WITH NO ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS OR IMPERFECTIONS.

INVENTORY REF: D0000XZRE/.1111