Gold Foo Dog / Lion Cufflinks - Vintage Alva Museum Replicas - order Shishi Menuki - Bold Statement Cuff Links - Original Box and Paperwork

Vintage ALVA Museum Replica Gold Lion / Foo Dog / Shishi Cufflinks.

The cufflinks are signed "Alva" and come with the Original Alva Gift Box and Paperwork.

The cuff links measure 1 3/8" by 5/8".

These cufflinks have been well-maintained and cared for over the years. They are in excellent condition.

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Menuki - Lion ( Shishi )
The original is of gold, a sword fitting (menuki), Japanese, late 18th century.

Swords and sword fittings for Japanese warriors were produced by more that sixty distinct schools of metalworkers between 700 AD and 1900. The small menuki - always made in pairs - were placed on either side of the hilt both for decoration and to strengthen the grip. With the establishment of the Shogunate in 1603, a long period of peace ensued in which the sword became increasingly less important as a weapon of war and the decorations grew more elaborate. The love of small objects and the attention to detail that the Japanese artists and craftsmen are famous for, resulted in many elaborate and delightful miniature sculptures in the form of menuki.

The shishi, a mythological creature that resembles a stylized lion, has a curly mane, glaring eyes, and a large mouth. Pairs of these shishi (also called Dogs of Fo), carved in stone, order guard the entrances of Buddhist Temples in both China and Japan. An open mouthed shishi is said to be uttering aum, the first Sanskrit vowel. The shishi has been symbolic of bravery and strength since ancient times, and was especially popular for armor decoration.

Authorized reproduction made in 24k gold, electroplated pewter from the original in The Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, Ohio. 1978 Alva Museum Replicas, Inc., New York.

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