Rare Vintage, Antiques and Art Collector / Curator / Personal Shopper From Japan
Showa Vintage Japanese Guardian Shishi Foo Fu Dog / Lion Metal Okimono with Jewel Ball
Showa Vintage Japanese Guardian Shishi Foo Fu Dog / Lion Metal Okimono with Jewel Ball
Couldn't load pickup availability
Have a reasonable price in mind? Submit your best offer and our concierge will review it personally.
Guardian Lion with Jewel Ball — Japanese Metal Okimono (Decorative Sculpture)
This metal guardian lion sculpture, depicted with a pierced jewel ball beneath its forepaw, is a decorative Japanese okimono intended for interior display. Executed in dark-patinated metal, the figure emphasizes movement, strength, and symbolic guardianship rather than ritual function.
The lion’s exaggerated mane, raised tail, and muscular stance reflect stylistic conventions commonly seen from the late Meiji through early Showa periods, when traditional protective imagery was adapted for domestic interiors and export-oriented decorative arts. The openwork jewel ball represents wisdom, protection, and the containment of chaotic forces.
This piece is offered as a used decorative object. Surface wear, minor scratches, and signs of age are present and consistent with prior display and storage. Exact material composition is not specified by the seller; buyers should regard this as decorative metalwork rather than shrine or temple sculpture.
Specifications
- Object Type: Guardian Lion (Shishi) Okimono
- Material: Metal (unspecified alloy)
- Width: approx. 45 cm
- Depth: approx. 17 cm
- Height: approx. 33 cm
- Condition: Used; surface wear and minor marks present
This sculpture is suitable for collectors of Japanese decorative arts, traditional interiors, or symbolic guardian imagery.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
