The lion sits with a joss-stick holder with lotus lip rising from his back. He is painted in underglaze blue on his mane, curls and tail. The rectangular pedestal base has blue trellis panels.

Major Duberly wrote: “Dogs of Fo, or Chinese lions, are guardians of the Buddhist temples. Though ferocious in appearance, they are really peaceful docile creatures who expend their energy on a ball of silk brocade. He is sacred to Buddhism and is an emblem of valour and energy and was embroidered on the court robes of military officials of the second grade.”

Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 79

Provenance: Bequeathed as part of the Duberly Collection, 1978; purchased by Major Montagu and Lady Eileen Duberly from H.R.N. Norton, 15 November 1951 (£11)

Location: Not on display