0
8,220  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 36  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Latest
Price Low
Price High
sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1222102
FOR SALE
£450
Email
Save
Superb Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Family of Chinese Temple Lions
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
for sale €527     $572
£450
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021
View Dealers Stock Page
Relevant Links
Id #SA1222102
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Superb Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Family of Chinese Temple Lions

1900 - 1920
Description

Outstanding Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) large bronze sculpture depicting a family (mother and two cubs) of temple guardian lions/lion dogs (shishi) playing with a ball. The two cubs, ball and tail are all detachable. 21cm high x 36cm wide x 14cm deep, weight 7.5kg.

Nice condition and patina.

Most commonly, a shishi (??) refers to the lion-like guardian statues seen at the entrances of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. They are stylized lion-dogs meant to ward off evil spirits.

Physical Dimensions
Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Depth
14cm (5.51")
Declaration

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Bronze Shishi Sculpture to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1222102
Dealers Internal Reference
AD1427
Description
Outstanding Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) large bronze sculpture depicting a family (mother and two cubs) of temple guardian lions/lion dogs (shishi) playing with a ball. The two cubs, ball and tail are all detachable. 21cm high x 36cm wide x 14cm deep, weight 7.5kg.
fig 1. A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball.
fig 1. Superb Japanese Meiji (Early 20thc) Bronze Family of Chinese Temple Lions

Nice condition and patina.

“
Most commonly, a shishi (??) refers to the lion-like guardian statues seen at the entrances of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

They are stylized lion-dogs meant to ward off evil spirits.

Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Depth
14cm (5.51")
Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Bronze Shishi Sculpture to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1222102
Dealers Internal Ref
AD1427
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

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball.
1 / 7
Archive I A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball.

Superb Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) Bronze Family of Chinese Temple Lions

Archive II A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View II
Archive III A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View III
Archive IV A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View IV
Archive V A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View V
Archive VI A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View VI
Archive VII A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball. View VII
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 48
Items Sold 755
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
48
Sold
755
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball.
Superb Japanese Meiji (early 20thC) Bronze Family of Chinese Temple Lions
Ref: SA1222102
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a Japanese guardian lion dog with two smaller cubs playing around a pierced brocade ball.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
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.

FAQs

Shishi, or guardian lions, entered Japanese artistic tradition through Chinese Buddhist imagery. Historically placed at temple entrances or rendered in decorative metalwork, these mythological creatures symbolise protection and good fortune.

Meiji period craftsmen used lost-wax casting methods to achieve intricate forms. Following casting, the bronze was meticulously hand-chased with fine tools to create texture before undergoing chemical or heat-applied patination.

Authentic pieces feature crisp hand-chased surface details, multi-layered patination, and heavy casting density. Signature marks are frequently cast or hand-chiselled directly into the metal on the underside or base.

Position the bronze sculpture on a sideboard or mantelpiece alongside clean-lined ceramics or natural timber surfaces. The dark metallic finish creates visual weight and serves as a strong focal point in modern or traditional spaces.

Dust the surface regularly using a dry, soft-bristled brush or clean microfibre cloth. Avoid applying water, abrasive polishes, or chemical detergents, as these will strip the protective patinated finish.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories