China, Qing Dynasty, Cast Bronze Guardian Lion Figurine - c. 1800s CE - Imperial China

• Origin: China, Late Qing Dynasty (19th century CE)
• Date: c. 1800s CE
• Size: 3.23 inches long
• Notes: Bronze figurines of auspicious animals have played an important role in Chinese art and symbolism for thousands of years, often serving as decorative objects, ritual items, or protective talismans. Among the most iconic are guardian lions—also known as shishi or “Fu Lions”—which were believed to ward off evil and protect important spaces. Usually depicted in male-female pairs, these lions were placed at the entrances of palaces, temples, and homes, with the male resting his paw on a ball (symbolizing power) and the female restraining a playful cub (symbolizing nurture).

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