Title
Pair of lions
Year/Period
Late 19th or early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 48.0 x 32.0 x 70.0 cm,
Object size: Refer to parts
Object size: Refer to parts
Accession No.
2023-00317
Collection of
Carved in teak and gilded, each lion stands on a low platform with a paw on a ball formed by Chinese coins, which symbolise wealth and ward off evil. Also known as Fu dogs in the West, lions were associated with the protection of Buddhist deities, for whom they were sometimes mounts. It was common to place lion statues at the entrance of temples, official buildings and private residences. Locally made teakwood furniture combining European and Chinese influences was popular among Peranakans. Native to South and Southeast Asia, teak is a hardwood that lends itself well to the carving of intricate details Peranakans favoured.
