Satsuma shishisJapanMeiji to Taishō period, 1868 - 1926Height 21 cm, width 11 cm, depth 9.5 cmA pair of black shishis with gold and sparsely used polychrome decoration on bases with cloud designs, lotus flowers in curved panels.The standing surfaces are unglazed and without marks.The Buddhist guardian lions, usually more reminiscent of dogs due to a lack of suitable natural models, are popular throughout East Asia and are derived from large, stone specimens that always guard the entrances of temples and palaces in pairs.In this pair, both lions are characterised as male by the balls under their paws.