BronzeNepal, 18th centuryDimensions: Height 11 cm by 12 cmWeight: 465,2 gramsBeautifully crafted temple lion standing on four legs with ornamental decorations covering its whole body. The mouth is agape with protruding tongue and a lush mane covers the head. The tail is curled up and attached to the back. Usually temple lions come in sets of two, one female and one male lion. They are placed at entrances as guardians in a vast area reaching from China to Japan, over Taiwan, South East Asia to Sri Lanka. They are sometimes also referred to as Stone Lions, Shishi or Foo Dogs.