BLANC DE CHINE 'SHISHI'

Porcelain figures of Chinese guardian lions—known in Mandarin as shíshi (石獅), and often referred to in the West as 'Fu lions' or 'Foo dogs'—were popular decorative and symbolic export wares in the 18th and 19th centuries. Though commonly called 'dogs,' these figures are stylised representations of lions, traditionally placed at entrances to offer protection and convey imperial strength.

Condition on arrival

The figure’s head area was badly broken and had been previously restored. Old fills had discoloured and become unstable.

Work done

All restorations were reversed and all fragments were thoroughly cleaned. After drying, the sections were assembled using tinted epoxy resin. Areas of loss were filled, and missing elements were reproduced with colour-fills: the same tinted epoxy resin was bulked with fumed silica into a paste. Once fully cured, the colour-fills were polished to a high gloss, imitating the original glazed porcelain. This approach avoids the need to over-spray or paint large glazed areas that are in perfectly good condition. All fills are thus confined to breaks and areas of loss.