Guardian Fu Dog Ink Stone

Hunkered down on his drum perch, a fu dog jealousy guards the pool where a calligrapher once prepared his ink. A symbol of protection, the lion-like beast bears the features of a shih-tzu, a dog originally bred to resemble this mythical canine. Scholarly implements, such as this carved limestone ink stone from around 1800, were highly valued and therefore decorated with auspicious or inspirational forms.