Search 0
7,770  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 53 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
53 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1185533
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
Striking Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-botan) Incense Burner
Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
sold SA1185533
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021
Browse dealers 35 items
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1185533
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Striking Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-botan) Incense Burner

1900 - 1920
Sold 19 December 2025 · Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
This “Striking Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-botan) Incense Burner” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
Japanese Bronze BurnerJapanese Bronze CenserJapanese Foo Dog Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Superb Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) bronze okimono of an exceptional detailed temple lion (shishi) holding a large blooming peony (botan) in its mouth. Standing in a playful pose, its front body rests on the ground while standing with its hind legs, holding its tail erect. The hairs of its mane and tail are the hairs are delicately designed in wavy lines. Signed on its belly (Shôun?). Measures 26.5cm wide x 16cm deep x 22.5cm high, weight 3.20kg.

Excellent original condition and patina.

Shishi-botan, literally lion and peony, has been a very popular motif in Japan. Shishi was believed as the king of all animals, while peony are considered the ‘king’ of flowers. They have often been depicted together since ancient times. It was said that only one thing that could kill the strongest animal (shishi) was an insect in his body and it was believed that the night dew of peony was the only thing that can kill this insect.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Bronze Temple Lion Incense Burner to the 1910s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
22.5cm (8.86")
Width
26.5cm (10.43")
Depth
16cm (6.30")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1185533
Dealers Internal Reference
AD1122
Description
Superb Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) bronze okimono of an exceptional detailed temple lion (shishi) holding a large blooming peony (botan) in its mouth.
“
Standing in a playful pose, its front body rests on the ground while standing with its hind legs, holding its tail erect.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

The hairs of its mane and tail are the hairs are delicately designed in wavy lines. Signed on its belly (Shôun?). Measures 26.5cm wide x 16cm deep x 22.5cm high, weight 3.20kg.

fig 1. A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth.
fig 1. Striking Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-botan) Incense Burner

Excellent original condition and patina.

Shishi-botan, literally lion and peony, has been a very popular motif in Japan. Shishi was believed as the king of all animals, while peony are considered the ‘king’ of flowers. They have often been depicted together since ancient times. It was said that only one thing that could kill the strongest animal (shishi) was an insect in his body and it was believed that the night dew of peony was the only thing that can kill this insect.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Bronze Temple Lion Incense Burner to the 1910s.

Height
22.5cm (8.86")
Width
26.5cm (10.43")
Depth
16cm (6.30")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1185533
Dealers Internal Ref
AD1122
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 9
Archive I A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Striking Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-botan) Incense Burner

Archive II A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View II
Archive III A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View III
Archive IV A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View IV
Archive V A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View V
Archive VI A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View VI
Archive VII A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View VII
Archive VIII A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View VIII
Archive IX A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Telephone 07975 614592
Location
Bath
Somerset
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/antikdragon
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 35
Items Sold 783
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Verified Since Oct 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/antikdragon
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
35
Sold
783
A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth.
Striking Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) Bronze Temple Lion & Peony (Shishi-Botan) Incense Burner
Ref: SA1185533
A dark bronze Japanese temple lion incense burner depicted with a peony flower and scroll in its mouth.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectIncense Burner
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleMeiji Period Japanese
  • MaterialBronze
  • ColourDark Grey
  • MotifsShishi lion, Peony flower, Scroll, Curled mane
  • SizeH 22.5 cm (9 in) x W 26.5 cm (10 in) x D 16 cm (6 in)

FAQs

Bronze should be kept away from direct moisture and humidity, dusted gently with a dry microfibre cloth, and treated without abrasive chemical polishes to preserve its original surface patination.

Such sculptural objects can be displayed as focal points on a mantelpiece, console table, or open bookshelf, pairing effectively with minimalist decor to highlight the intricate craftsmanship.

Authentic pieces typically feature deep, natural patination developed over time, high-relief hand-chiselled details, and occasionally artisan signature stamps or foundry marks on the underside.

Meiji period metalworkers predominantly utilised high-grade bronze and brass alloys, often employing traditional lost-wax casting techniques followed by meticulous hand-chasing, patination, and engraving.

Temple lions, known as Shishi or foo dogs, traditionally served as protective guardians in Japanese Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, while incense burners (koro) were used for ceremonial purification and ritual offerings.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories