What stones were used?

Carvers utilised soapstone, Shoushan stone, green marble, bowenite serpentine, jade, and jadeite. Each material brought distinct weights and colourations to the finished sculpture. The choice of stone often reflected the intended function of the piece, ranging from soft soapstone for detailed scholar's seals to tough jade for devotional figures.

How old are these figures?

The pieces span multiple eras, stretching from pre-sixteenth century works through the Ming and Qing dynasties up to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Stylistic cues and material handling help distinguish earlier dynastic pieces from later nineteenth-century classical revivals and export items.

Where should I display them?

These sculptures suit tabletops, desks, and bookshelves where their tactile surfaces and intricate details can be appreciated up close. Smaller pieces like seals and snuff bottles fit well within cabinet displays. Heavier items such as marble lions or serpentine groups anchor larger surfaces like sideboards or mantelpieces.

How do I identify a Foo Dog?

Foo Dogs are stylized guardian lions typically shown with open mouths, curly manes, and paws resting on a ball or a cub. They derive from traditional temple architecture. In domestic settings, they often appear as single sculptures or matched pairs functioning as decorative guards or bookends.