A wonderfully decorative pair of table lamps made from Chinese ceramic foo dogs, or temple lions, beautifully glazed with purple and blue streaks. China, 20th century

Why we like them

We love the opulence of colours and the intricate pattern of the glaze. Very decorative objects do add a pop of colour into a modern or traditional interior.

History

Statues of guardian lions have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. They are also used in other artistic contexts, for example on door-knockers, and in pottery.  The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball which represents the material elements and one female with a cub which represents the element of spirit— that were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat.

Dimensions

Height (without shade): 20 in / 51 cm
Height (including shade): 25.5 in / 65 cm
Width: 5.5 in / 14 cm
Depth: 6.5 in / 16cm