A 19th Century Pair of Chinese Canton Vases and Covers

A pair of late 19th century Canton porcelain vases, decorated with panels depicting courtly scenes in famille rose glazes upon a white ground, the domed lids surmounted with gilded lions.

The lions situated on top of the lids of this pair of vases are Chinese guardian lions or foo dogs. Traditionally, these creatures guard official buildings such as temples, imperial tombs and palaces or government offices. In art and poetry they have been used for centuries as symbols of protection. Foo dogs always come in pairs and represent the male and the female; the ying and the yan. At this, the male guards the external structure of the object to which it is attached, whereas the female protects what is inside.

Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875-1908).

Condition: restoration to necks.