A pair of Qing dynasty stone lion statues from China, which were purchased at a Japanese auction by the late Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil and stood guard in front of the Bohwagak at the Kansong Art Museum for over 80 years, are returning to China.

The National Museum of Korea and the Kansong Art Museum held a donation ceremony for the Qing dynasty stone lion statues in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, signing a "Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of Cultural Property" with China's National Cultural Heritage Administration to verify the transfer of ownership and physical handover of the artifacts.

This follows up on the donation agreement signed during the South Korea-China summit last January. Following the signing of the confirmation certificate, the stone lion statues are scheduled to be transported to China through shipping procedures.

The stone lion statues returning to China are marble sculptures standing 1.9 meters tall and weighing 1.25 tons, crafted during China's Qing dynasty.

In China, stone lion statues have long been regarded as symbols of warding off evil and attracting wealth, and were placed in front of palaces, the main gates of residences, and tombs.

A five-expert panel formed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated them after a physical appraisal, stating that they are "exceptional works of the Qing dynasty equipped with historical, artistic, and scientific value."

Furthermore, based on the assessment that the material appears to be marble originating from Beijing or the North China region, along with their superior manufacturing techniques and decorative expressions, experts presume they guarded the main gate of a royal residence or prince's mansion.

The Kansong Art Museum stated that these stone lions were purchased by Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil at an auction in Japan during the 1930s.

Kansong acquired these stone lions while purchasing Korean stone cultural assets such as stone pagodas and stone lanterns from Goryeo and Joseon that were put up for auction at the time.

Since then, the stone lion statues have served as a symbolic presence guarding the main gate of the Kansong Art Museum.

However, Kansong expressed his intent during his lifetime to those around him, saying, "As they are Chinese cultural assets, it would be right to eventually return them to China," and the Kansong Art Museum has long prepared for the donation to fulfill this wish.

The Kansong Art Museum plans to install a new 19th-century Korean stone artwork, a stone tiger statue, in the spot previously occupied by the stone lion statues.

(Photo: Yonhap News)