Pair of Foo Dog bookends in sculpted steatite.

A rare and elegant pair of bookends featuring Foo Dogs, or Chinese guardian lions, carved from veined steatite in brown tones. Resting on imposing rectangular bases, these protective guardians exhibit a beautiful quality of sculpture with expressive faces, stylised manes, and meticulous attention to detail. The natural hues of the stone give each piece a unique character. Both decorative and functional, these bookends will add a touch of refined exoticism to a library, desk, or console. Their substantial weight of 4.1kg ensures excellent stability for holding books and beautiful volumes. In very good vintage condition with slight signs of age and small natural irregularities in the stone, contributing to the charm of the whole. A lovely pair for enthusiasts of Asian art, chinoiseries, and characterful objects.