Ivory netsuke of a guardian lion, komainu in Japanese or shishi in Chinese, with golden eyes. Resting on its front paws, its head is turned backwards on a four-lobed base.  

The komainu is inspired by the Chinese guardian lion shishi, which dates back to the Tang dynasty (581-618). Supposed to ward off evil, it appears on both sides of doors and portals in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)

Width: 13 in (3.3 cm) – depth: 1.2 in (3 cm) – weight: 0.8 in (2.8 cm)