Vintage Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Japanese Foo Dogs, Made in Japan, C. 1960s - A Pair

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A handsome matched pair of mid-century Japanese guardian lions — komainu, also known as shishi or foo dogs — in … Read more A handsome matched pair of mid-century Japanese guardian lions — komainu, also known as shishi or foo dogs — in a deep turquoise glaze that pools into cobalt in the recesses and breaks to celadon and aubergine across the manes and tails.

The pair is correctly cast in the traditional convention: one lion with mouth open (a-gyō), one with mouth closed (un-gyō), representing beginning and end. Each is seated on a stepped rockwork plinth with a mottled sea-green glaze that plays against the brilliant turquoise of the bodies. The modeling is crisp throughout — curled manes, ruffled tails, incised brows and clawed paws.

Retains the original red foil MADE IN JAPAN label to the underside.

That saturated turquoise is the whole appeal here. A pair like this earns its place on a mantel, flanking books on a shelf, or bracketing a console — the standard-bearer of chinoiserie and Hollywood Regency decorating, and a color that reads as a statement in an otherwise quiet room. See less