(From Palace) Pair of Antique Hand Carved Solid Chinese Marble Fu Lion Temple Garden Statues - This is a pair of beautiful, hand carved marble fu lion temple garden statues. The statues show lovely attention to detail, and are in excellent condition. Statues of these guardian lions have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. Because of the high cost of these materials and the labor required to produce them, private use of guardian lions was traditionally reserved for wealthy or elite families. Indeed, a traditional symbol of a family's wealth or social status was the placement of guardian lions in front of the family home. These pieces were gifted to the Nguyen family from the Tran Family, and were kept in their palace garden. The statues measure approx. 23"H x 27"L x 12"W.