WORLD CULTURES : ASIA

Object Name: Chinese ivory lion dogs
Description: Pair of ivory guardian lions/ lions of Fo / lion dogs (shi shi) on wooden lotus bases used to protect from evil spirits. The curly hair on the lions usually depicts a high rank in society. The male lion holds a ball under his paw, symbolising power and authority, representing control over the world and protection of the home or collection it guards. The female lion is portrayed to be cradling a cub under her paw, deemed to be conveying protection, nurturing, and the continuity of lineage. Together, the pair embodies complementary yin-yang principles — the male asserting strength and the female ensuring protection and care. It is typical that the male stands on the right hand side looking at the public while the female stands on his left. Larger examples of Chinese guardian lions are for temple or architectural use, however this small pair was most likely crafted with the intention of a luxury decorative object or presentation gift for the home. Probably late Qing dynasty.
Materials: Ivory
Catalogue Number: BELUM.C267.1949
Notes: National Museums NI

National Museums NI holds over a million objects in the collection, as well as this we manage the records and associated images for each object through a working database. The national collection has been almost 200 years in the making, and we recognise that thinking about collecting and collections has evolved over this time and continues to evolve. As a result, some of our records may contain language and views that we now consider offensive and unacceptable, for example, reflecting racist attitudes. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to reviewing and updating our records accordingly. Working with researchers, communities and academic partners we are learning more about the stories behind objects, and we are committed to sharing these with our audiences. We welcome feedback. Please email [email protected]