Featured Pair of chinese carved soapstone foo dogs/lions

These in total stand about 5"(13cm) high - the little lions are a little over 2" high.(5cm) Are these seal "blanks" that didn't get carved on the bottom - or are they weights - or just sculptures? Also - they appear to have some age(based on the wear/nicks/style). I just don't know how to put an approx age on them - any ideas?

The lighting in my pics really makes all the nicks and imperfections stand out more than they do in person - although they are a bit beat up - they look pretty cool to the eye. The bases are decorated with framed chrysanthemums on each side.

Thanks for looking!

 

They are based on seals, but many of these are meant more as decoration than as actual seal blanks. It is customary to call them seals though.

My guess is 1930s.

 

Thanks again, AJ - "seals" it is then. I'm giving them a good wipe down and then polish with a dab of fractionated coconut oil. They look great now!

 

Yes, they are seals that have not been carved. Not high quality in any way. The stone is cheap and the carving of the lions is rather poor/basic.

 

Soapstone Chinese blank seals. Worth at least $50 a pair in my Northwest pacific antique mall.