A pair of Qing Dynasty stone lion sculptures, purchased and preserved by the Kansong Art Museum since 1933, will be returned to China.

The National Museum of Korea (Director: YOU Hong June), which has been facilitating the donation procedures of the stone lions to China at the request of the Kansong Art Museum, signed a donation agreement with Rao Quan, Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, at the Qing Dynasty Stone Lions Donation Signing Ceremony held on Monday, January 5, during the Korea–China Summit. The ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and was attended by President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China.

According to the Kansong Art Museum, the stone lions were purchased at an auction in Japan in 1933 by the late Kansong Chun Hyungpil (1906–1962). At that time, Kansong purchased the pair of stone lions together with stone pagodas, stone lanterns, and stupas dating from the Goryeo and Joseon periods. When Bohwagak, the museum’s exhibition hall, was constructed in 1938, the stone lions were installed at its main entrance, where they have stood guard for the past 87 years.

During his lifetime, Kansong expressed that the stone lions were Chinese cultural artifacts and that it would be good to send them back to their homeland someday. Following this wish, the Kansong Art Museum independently pursued the donation of these artifacts to China when building a new storage facility in 2016, but the effort was suspended due to various challenges. The Kansong Art Museum stated: “This year, 2026, marks the 120th anniversary of Kansong’s birth. In order to honor his lifelong commitment to munhwa boguk—the principle of safeguarding the nation through culture—by which he protected and preserved countless Korean cultural properties, we wish to donate these artifacts to China. We hope this donation will serve as a catalyst for more active cultural exchanges between the two countries.” The museum entrusted all donation-related procedures to the National Museum of Korea and requested its cooperation.

On the occasion of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China at the beginning of the year, the National Museum of Korea conveyed the Kansong Art Museum’s intention to donate the stone lions to China, expressing hopes for the continued development of friendly relations between Korea and China. Subsequently, five experts organized by China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration visited the Kansong Art Museum to conduct an on-site appraisal. The Chinese experts concluded that the stone lions are “early Qing Dynasty works that retain the craftsmanship techniques of imperial artisans from the Ming Dynasty and possess outstanding historical, artistic, and scientific value.” They further noted that “based on the material, marble from Beijing or the North China region was likely used. The refined production techniques and decorative expressions suggest that these sculptures once guarded the entrance of a princely residence.”

In traditional Chinese culture, stone lions are believed to ward off misfortune and bring prosperity, and are typically placed at the main entrances of residences or in front of tombs. During the state visit to France in March 2014, President Xi Jinping drew international attention when he referenced Napoleon’s metaphor of the “sleeping lion,” stating: “The lion of China has awakened, but it is a peaceful, friendly, and civilized lion.”

With the signing of the donation agreement, the stone lions will be transferred to China. Director YOU Hong June of the National Museum of Korea remarked, “This donation is fully aligned with Kansong’s spirit of preserving the nation through culture. It is particularly meaningful that the donation is being realized in the year marking the 120th anniversary of his birth. We hope this act will stand as a solid symbol of cultural cooperation and friendship between Korea and China going forward.”