Old Chinese red and black lacquered panel with gilding

 
Old Chinese red and black lacquered panel with gilding
 
Description: The panel depicts the head of a Chinese guardian lion to the right with its mouth open, but its eyes are seen frontally as if looking directly at the viewer. Scrolling vine and flower below.
 
Materials and method: Hand carved wood; hand painted red and black lacquer; gilding.
 
Dimensions: 28 x 16 cm.
 
Date of creation: Probably late 19th century.
 
Condition: As can be seen in the image, there is some lacquer loss and most of the gilding has been lost. 
 
Stock no: F100
 
Comments: 
Lions were introduced to the Chinese over 2000 years ago through early trade with Central Asia and India and the stories of traveling Buddhist monks.
It is not clear of what kind of object this panel was a part. Such lions are always in pairs so there was another panel with the lion looking left.
Chinese guardian lions are also known in English as lion dogs, foo dogs (although they are not dogs) or shi shi lions.
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