NORTH CHINA, LATE 18TH CENTURY

The Fu-dog, almost leonine in appearance, was a companion to Buddha whose mission was to keep watch over Buddhist holy places. For a related example, please see H. A. Lorentz; A View of Chinese Rugs, London, 1972, pl.48. A number of carpets with very similar features are illustrated by Michael Franses: Lion Dogs, Hundred Antiques, Classical Chinese Carpets 1, London, 2000, esp. nos.11 and 12, pp.43-4.