Bronze Foo Shishi- Edo ???

I don't have a good explanation for the large, rough hole on the base, or the rather mechanical looking striations and swirls in the metal surface. Both features give me pause about agreeing with an early date.

I thought it might be an example of the slush/hollow casting technique, which was invented by William Britain in 1893 for making lead soldiers. This is why I asked about the shape of the interior walls. But the material you describe packed inside would be more characteristic of core material used in lost wax casting.

(For info on slush casting see - https://www.mechgrace.com/2022/12/s...ng process was,from the metal permanent mould).

 

I'm grateful to all for this wee vignette of European history...Thanks!

 

Venice at 1100 years is close to miraculous-that a long empire !

 

That was most interesting, Books...Thanks!

 

Thanks for the insight on slush casting Books, intriguing stuff indeed. I wish to heck scientific metallurgy testing was more affordable (maybe it's cheaper than I think ?). Generally I watch Nova or BBC History documentaries & I doubt any decent university labs are affordable.
Posted it on the Asian Arts Forum last night,so we shall see-those folks can take a while (as in 'forever') to comment,but who knows.
Thanks a ton for all the feedback on the pooch !

 

A truly xtraordinary achievement. Then as they evolved further-they found the real power was in touri$m !

 

But also their destruction.
Mass tourism isn't doing a vulnerable island city like Venice any good. Besides, most tourists spend very little to no money in Venice, and aren't really interested in art, architecture or history. To many it is like a theme park, or they are there so they can say they saw Venice.

There is finally a ban on large cruise ships, but the regular size cruise fleet can still visit Venice (and cause waves against vulnerable buildings as well as blocking views of the lagoon). I wonder how much of Venice will be left in 50 years time, if the authorities don't put a stop to cruise ships and mass tourism altogether.

 

I strongly agree, AJ...Well Said!

 

The waves from those big (& huge !) ships are battering the hell out of that ancient wonder.

 

I hate HATE hate those cruise ships. Why they would ever let any of them dock in places where they destroy the view, or anywhere near historic areas, I have no idea. Well, it's the money in certain pockets probably, but it's horrific and I support Venice getting them the hell out.

If you're coming to the area on a huge ugly ship, then park it where no one has to look at it and take a shuttle to the place (s) you want to see.

 

And please spend money locally, even if just for lunch, so the locals actually benefit from your visit. Places like Venice survive because of the love and input of the inhabitants.

Venetian cuisine is special btw, over the centuries it was influenced by the trade with the Eastern Mediterranean and the use of Asian spices. Well worth spending a little money on. Go to the small side streets.
(Watch out for little red coats though.)

 

YES THIS. I don't know (barring strict dietary/sensory concerns) why you'd travel and not try the local food or shop in local shops??? I've traveled halfway around the world and been with people on a study abroad who ate at the McDonald's across from the hotel every day. Just stay home if you're too scared to explore lol.

But I'm a big believer in only patronizing local restaurants and shops whenever possible at home too. The food and service is so much better.

 

Ditto.
I have never even been to one of the fast food chains like McDonald's etc. I'd rather have the healthy option, preferably made with locally sourced ingredients.

 

Shishi just found his magic crystal !

 

Shishi deserves a treat.

 

My wife put the crystal (a natural one), I walked back in the room and it was -'Yes'. Then she stuck a mini flashlight behind it for effect,wait-or maybe the 'pooch' started glowing ?