Koma Inu, temple lion-dog door guardian
Place of ManufactureAsia
MediumMaterial: wood
DimensionsOverall: 39.5 cm
ClassificationsFINE ART
Credit LineFred & Isabel Pollard Collection
Object number1967.141.001
DescriptionKoma-inu means dog of Koryo, after the dynasty in medieval Korea. It was undoubtedly carved as one of a pair intended to be door guardians at a Shinto shrine. While this wood sculpture is rather crude, due to the dimensions of the block of wood, it still exhibits a folksy primitive power and retains its symbolic impact as a protective guardian. The craftsman who carved the piece demonstrates his inability to articulate from much beyond the shape of the block of wood. The work appears to have probably been done in the isolation of a rural mountain village
Status
Not on view
Walter Joseph Phillips
Walter Joseph Phillips
Walter Joseph Phillips
Walter Joseph Phillips
Walter Joseph Phillips
