Glazed Porcelain Foo Lioness with Cub - China, c. 1920-1940

Enamelled porcelain statue representing a guardian lioness (Foo dog) with her cub, a classic piece of Chinese export production from the Republic period.

Object History: This figure was made in Canton workshops in the early 20th century, following the aesthetic tradition of the Qing Dynasty. The design integrates a joss stick holder on one side. The lioness, a symbol of maternal protection and the home, is distinguished by the cub attempting to climb her side, an iconography that complements the male figure holding the embroidered sphere.

Technical Details:
- Period: c. 1920-1940 (Republic Period)
- Technique: Molded porcelain with Sancai style polychrome enamels (yellow, green, blue, and aubergine).
- Height: 20 cm (7.87 inches)
- Width: 12 cm (4.72 inches)
- Weight: 800 g (1.76 pounds)
- Material: Hard-paste porcelain with glazed finish.

Condition Report: Very good for its age. It features natural enamel crazing and small firing irregularities on the unglazed base, consistent with the manual production methods of the era. No visible restorations.

This piece holds high decorative and collectible value, being a representative example of Asian decorative art destined for the Western market in the first half of the 20th century.