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ID #SA1242422
FOR SALE
£895
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Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian
For sale by London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,047     $1,137
£895
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 946 items
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Id #SA1242422
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Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

19th century
Description

This is a pair of antique Guardian Lion bookends. An Oriental, soapstone decorative 'Dog of Fo' book rest, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Delightfully tactile bookends with an appealing natural finish and appearance

Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Crafted skilfully in milky white soapstone, with excellent form and detail

Vein detail in medium grey hues add visual interest to each piece

Represents a sitting Guardian Lion or Shíshī, with strong Oriental influence

A Western term, Dog of Fo became associated with them as a translation of Dog of Buddha

Such statues were present at the entrance to shrines, and they resembled Pekinese dogs

The concept travelled to China via the Silk Road from India, along with Buddhism

Great detail to the face and exuberant coat, with one paw raised upon a brocade ball

Stands upon a broad socle base with a distinct shaped edge

Dressed to the base with a protective leather cushion pad

Ideal for ornamental display, or perfectly shaped for use as bookends

This is a striking pair of antique Guardian Lion bookends, with appealing natural colour and excellent form. Delivered ready to display.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 8cm (3.25'')

Max Depth: 13cm (5'')

Max Height: 18cm (7'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Soapstone Guardian Lion Bookends to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
8cm (3.15")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242422
Dealers Internal Reference
26347
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a pair of antique Guardian Lion bookends.
“
An Oriental, soapstone decorative 'Dog of Fo' book rest, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
London Fine Antiques

Delightfully tactile bookends with an appealing natural finish and appearance

fig 1. A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
fig 1. Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Crafted skilfully in milky white soapstone, with excellent form and detail

Vein detail in medium grey hues add visual interest to each piece

fig 2. A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
fig 2. Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

Represents a sitting Guardian Lion or Shíshī, with strong Oriental influence

A Western term, Dog of Fo became associated with them as a translation of Dog of Buddha

Such statues were present at the entrance to shrines, and they resembled Pekinese dogs

fig 3. A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
fig 3. Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

The concept travelled to China via the Silk Road from India, along with Buddhism

Great detail to the face and exuberant coat, with one paw raised upon a brocade ball

Stands upon a broad socle base with a distinct shaped edge

fig 4. A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
fig 4. Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

Dressed to the base with a protective leather cushion pad

Ideal for ornamental display, or perfectly shaped for use as bookends

This is a striking pair of antique Guardian Lion bookends, with appealing natural colour and excellent form. Delivered ready to display.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 8cm (3.25'')

Max Depth: 13cm (5'')

Max Height: 18cm (7'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Soapstone Guardian Lion Bookends to the Victorian era.

Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
8cm (3.15")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242422
Dealers Internal Ref
26347
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
1 / 12
Archive I A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.

Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian

Archive II A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View II
Archive III A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View III
Archive IV A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View IV
Archive V A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View V
Archive VI A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View VI
Archive VII A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View IX
Archive X A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View X
Archive XI A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View XI
Archive XII A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 946
Items Sold 5,656
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
946
Sold
5,656
A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
Pair of Antique Guardian Lion Bookends, Oriental Soapstone, Dog of Fo, Victorian
Ref: SA1242422
A pair of hand-carved mottled grey soapstone guardian lion bookends mounted on carved pedestals.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBookends
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Chinoiserie
  • MaterialSoapstone
  • ColourMottled Grey
  • MotifsCarved guardian lions, Decorative pedestal bases, Mottled stone veining
  • SizeH 18 cm (7 in) x W 8 cm (3 in) x D 13 cm (5 in)

These Victorian Chinoiserie bookends date to circa 1900, forming a pair of hand-carved Guardian Lion or Dog of Fo figures in an Oriental style. Formed from milky white soapstone with natural medium grey vein details and a mottled grey colour palette, the figures display tactile surfaces, an aged patina, and detailed carvings of facial features and exuberant coats. One lion rests a paw upon a brocade ball, and both mount broad socle bases with shaped edges and protective leather cushion pads underneath. Each bookend measures 18 cm high, 8 cm wide, and 13 cm deep. Position these bookends on a library bookshelf, a desk, or a study mantelpiece to hold heavy volumes securely in place while adding a decorative element to the room. The smooth soapstone finish, the intricate sculptural work, and the distinct pedestal bases suit a gentleman's library or a study cabinet. They provide a practical way to organise books while introducing antique stone art into daily interior styling.

FAQs

Guardian lions, traditionally known as Foo Dogs or Imperial Guardian Lions, originated in Chinese architecture to protect buildings from harmful spiritual influences, later becoming popular motifs for decorative household items in Western interiors during the late 19th century.

Historically, these sculptures were hand-carved from natural stones such as soapstone, jade, and marble, or cast in bronze and iron, with soapstone being favoured for desktop accessories due to its softness and subtle colour variations.

Authentic hand-carved soapstone exhibits natural veining, subtle asymmetrical hand-carving details, and a silky, cool tactile feel, along with light wear or minor smoothing to the edges consistent with age.

Place them on a dark wood bookshelf, a curated desk display, or a console table to frame heavy volumes, adding texture, sculptural depth, and historical contrast to contemporary shelving.

Dust gently with a soft dry cloth or soft-bristled brush, avoiding water, chemical cleaners, or harsh detergents which can penetrate the porous stone or compromise original carved details.
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