Lion of Foo Figurine in Porcelain, Japan, 20th Century

Figure “Lion of Foo / Shisa” ko-kutani porcelain, pps. s. XX – Japan
Exquisite foo lion made of ko-Kutani porcelain, famous traditional crafts from Ishikawa province, Japan. The figure of the Lion of Fu has its origin in Tibet, but it quickly spread to all nearby territories. Thus, in Japan, lion figures are known as komainu or shisa. Iconographically, the lion appears mounted on a ball or orb. These lions are colorful, the five main colors are used in highly saturated pigments, in addition to gold and silver; in this case, polychrome in green and gold. Excellent workmanship and great decorativeness. It has some small defects on the back, restored and unimportant.

Surprising Japanese handmade piece made with a painting technique that enhances the value of good luck and amulets. Protects the family from bad luck and brings wealth. A pair of guardian lions, male and female, symbolize prosperity, success and guardian deities. In the city of Okinawa you can see shīsā everywhere, even at the entrances of buildings and on rooftops. They are often thought to have been part of everyday life since the days of the Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429-1879), but it was not until the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912) that they began to be displayed in ordinary homes.
Material: Porcelain
Manufacturing: ko-Kutani
Period: 20th century
Country of origin: Ishikawa, Japan
Minor faults that do not interfere with the overall vision of the whole
Dimensions: 28 x 25 x 20 cm.