Vintage 1950s Japanese Shishi Foo Dog HandPainted Majolica Style Figurine

This is a beautiful smaller sized ceramic Shishi in the colorful majolica style, made in Japan in the 1950s. Shishi, or stone lions, were guardian animals that originated in China in the Han Dynasty and were often placed at the entrances of palaces, temples, and homes to guard and protect. Almost always in pairs, male and female, they symbolized yin and yang. The figurines resembled the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu dogs, which led the Shishi to be called "foo dogs" in English. This offer is for a single statue. Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 2 approx No chips, cracks or crazing