Censer; China, Qing dynasty, XVII-XVIII century.

Censer; China, Qing dynasty, XVII-XVIII century.
Patinated bronze.
Measurements: 24 x 27 x 15 cm.
Censer in the shape of a lion or Foo dog, made of patinated bronze. The figure presents a rounded finish of great stylization and idealism. Aesthetically conceived from the symbolism, the author has created an erect feline on its four legs that starts from a great stylization in the forms and a certain hieratism due to the tendency to geometry that is observed especially in the features of the face. In addition, the structure of the body presents an openwork finish due to a great extent to the functionality of this piece.
The foo dog, similar to a lion, is an important symbol in Chinese Taoist culture and, due to its influence, also in Japanese or Thai culture. It is identified with protection against evil spirits, and hence they are often represented in pairs at the entrance of temples, imperial tombs, palaces, government buildings, etc.. They are also known as Imperial Guardians, and were very frequent in the art of traditional China. They are attributed mythical powers of protection, and appear as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) at the entrance of important buildings. Today, foo dogs are still frequent as decoration and symbolic elements at the entrance of all kinds of buildings, from hotels to supermarkets. In fact, we can find them both in China and in other countries with a Chinese emigrant population.