Lot 316* - A191AS Asian Art: Japan, India, South-East Asia - Tuesday, 03. December 2019, 02.00 PM
A PAIR OF LARGE KARA SHISHI (TEMPLE LIONS).
Japan, 19th c. 155x120x45 cm and 130x130x54 cm.
Wood with red, brown and silver paint. Eyes inlaid in glass. Tail separately made. Damages due to age and cracks, restorations. (2)
Provenance: German private collection, before Dan Kelly (1939-2002), castle Gymnich.
The terms 'kara shishi' (lit. Chinese lion) and 'koma inu' (Korean dog) are nowadays used as synonyms. Traditionally a pair of shishi is positioned at the entrance of a Buddhist temple or Shintoist shrine as guards, like Niô guardians. Earlier, in Heian period (794-1185) the two figure types were distinguised between the left figure as 'shishi' with open mouth (agyô), the right one as 'koma inu' with closed mouth (ungyô).
The terms 'kara shishi' (lit. Chinese lion) and 'koma inu' (Korean dog) are nowadays used as synonyms. Traditionally a pair of shishi is positioned at the entrance of a Buddhist temple or Shintoist shrine as guards, like Niô guardians. Earlier, in Heian period (794-1185) the two figure types were distinguised between the left figure as 'shishi' with open mouth (agyô), the right one as 'koma inu' with closed mouth (ungyô).
CHF 25 000 / 35 000 | (€ 25 770 / 36 080)
Sold for CHF 29 580 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.