Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Chinese blanc de chine dog of Fo incense holder, 18th century, the dog sitting on its haunches and resting its right paw on a brocade ball, with a tasselled mane down his back, a trailing ribbon in his mouth, the collar with three tassels and a receptacle to his haunches for holding sticks of incense.
Dimensions:
Height: 34.3cm. (13 1/2in.)
Condition:
Old restoration to incense burner, left ear and left tooth and one toe of right paw
Notes:
Fo means 'happiness' in Chinese, and these guardian dogs are said to bring good fortune. They would traditionally be found in pairs at the entrance to temples, with the female dog shown with a puppy under her front paw, the male dog with a brocade ball as seen here. In China they are generally referred to as 'rui shi' (auspicious lions).
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP