Pair of silver Fu dogs or Buddhist Lions on pedestals. Both have menacing expressions. The male is clutching a brocade ball and a string of coins between its paws which symbolize Wealth. The female has a cub between it front paws representing the birth of many children. Buddhist Lions guard temples and important buildings and are believed to chase away demons. The pedestals of these small but heavy items are decorated with Osmanthus flowers which symbolize the birth of Distinguished sons. The Lions are both marked Qianlong Nian Zhi (乾隆年制) which means ‘Made in the Qianlong period’ but their style is typical for the Republic period (1912 – 1947). There is also a mark ‘Zu Wen’ (足纹) which means ‘Pure silver’. Height 4.1 cm. Width 2.8 cm. Depth 1.8 cm. Weight 76 grams.