Offered for sale as part of a collection clearance. This is a lion-dog head, known as Gongen-sama, a sacred object. I believe the period is from the mid to late Edo period. Gongen-sama are lion-dog heads enshrined in shrines and temples as incarnations of gods and Buddhas, and are found throughout Japan. During festivals, a person leading the procession carries the Gongen-sama, clacking its upper and lower jaws together to make a sound and ward off evil. This particular Gongen-sama has a rather peculiar style, unlike any other Gongen-sama I've seen, and the region it was made in is completely unknown. It is likely that someone from a region without Gongen-sama worship carved it, imitating what they saw. Because it is a sacred object used in a region that does not enshrine Gongen-sama, it has a unique charm. As it is an old item, there are corresponding scratches and stains overall. Please examine the photos carefully and understand that this item is non-refundable and non-returnable before purchasing.