Fu Lion with Pearl of Wisdom

This 19th century limestone Fu-Lion once served as a protector to the entrance of a Qing Dynasty home in China’s Shanxi province. The lion is sitting on a carved base reflecting the traditional architecture of the time, and his foot is resting on the “pearl of wisdom.” Through different dynasties, the shape, form and decorative motifs of fu lions have changed and evolved from abstract to realistic, incorporating symbolism and human expression to convey different emotions. The artisan who carved this figure imbued him with a remarkable sense of life, energy and humble strength.