Extraordinary, Chinese Qing Dynasty, carved jade Fu lion effigy. The finest jade carved in Fu lion statue, Chinese Fu Lion seated in relaxing position on its four legs, with the body slightly bend to right shoulder, the head facing right look toward. Its tail gently curved upward on the right hip. Elegantly presented upon a carved black velvet stand and deep royal yellow interior cushion, adorned with gilt auspicious pattern on metallic thread ribbon. These stylized guardian lions, known in Chinese as shi or shishi there's a popular tongue-twister associated with the tones, sometimes as Foo Dogs in English, originating not in China itself, but in Persia. Presented as gifts to the Han court by Persian diplomats, by the sixth century CE they had become popular as guardian representations for the rich and powerful. The image of the lion played particularly well in China given its associations with Buddhism in which it is seen as the protector of the spiritual teaching, or dharma. For some time, depictions of the guardian lions were in a considerable state of flux in terms of their stylized appearance, their poses, and those things with which they were associated. It was not until far later, in the Ming and Qing dynasties, that the imagery associated with the guardian lions settled down into its current form with two lions, one male, one female, flanking the entranceway to the premises they protect. The Fu lions are traditionally carved from decorative stone, such as marble and granite or cast in bronze or iron. Because of the high cost of these materials and the labor required to produce them, private use of guardian lions was traditionally reserved for wealthy or elite families. Indeed, a traditional Symbol of a family's Wealth or social status was the placement of guardian lions in front of the family home. However, in modern Times less expensive lions, mass produced in concrete and resin, have become available and their use is therefore no longer restricted to the elite. The lions are always presented in pairs, a manifestation of yin and yang, the female representing yin and the male yang. The male lion has its Right front paw on an embroidered ball called a xiu qiu, which is sometimes carved with a geometric pattern known in the West as the Flower of Life The female is essentially identical, but has a cub under the closer (left) paw to the male, representing the cycle of Life. Symbolically, the female fu lion protects those dwelling inside, while the male guards the structure. Sometimes the female has her mouth closed, and the male open. This symbolizes the enunciation of the sacred word om. According to feng shui, correct placement of the lions is important to ensure their beneficial effect. When looking out of a building through the entrance to be guarded, looking in the same Direction as the lions, the male is placed on the left and the female on the Right. So when looking at the entrance from outside the building, facing the lions, the male lion with the ball is on the Right, and the female with the cub is on the left. Excellent craftsmanship is evident in the fine details. Nephrite has mottled appearance with scattered inclusions along with a beautiful transparent milk-white tone, with pale-celadon iridescent and attractive sporadic golden russet inclusions, exquisite and detail, the jade stone have clean tone, with pale-celadon iridescent and moist milky appearance. The jade is extremely well carved giving it an aura of splendor. Notes: Jade, as a stone, has five virtues. Its glossiness and warmth is like benevolence. Because inside and outside is the same, so that knowing the outside one knows the inside, this may be likened to righteousness. Its far-reaching sound (when struck) may be heard from afar, like wisdom. It is not easily bent, but can be broken, which may be likened to courage. Jade can be sharpened, but not to the point where it can injure people, this quality is like self-regulation or restraint. Dimensions: 40mm H x 75mm W Weight:212g PROVENANCE: Private (Estate) collections of Anna Adeline (Anne Adeline) Haddrall (1929-2018), by inheritance.