What do Chinese foo dogs represent?

Chinese foo dogs are called “shishi” in China, which translates to “stone lion”. Shishi were traditionally placed in pairs outside of palaces, offices, temples and bridges to protect the home from evil spirits. Browse a selection of antique foo dog sculptures on 1stDibs.

What are foo dogs made of?

Traditional foo dogs, also known as fu dogs and lion dogs, are made from stone. Foo dogs are traditional Chinese ornaments believed to be guardians of the home, with pairs being displayed at the entrances. Shop a wide selection of authentic foo dogs through 1stDibs.

What is the meaning of foo dogs?

What the meaning of foo dog artwork is largely comes down to personal interpretation. Traditionally, the figures, also called guardian lions, represent protection, success, wealth and good fortune. Because they originate from China, the lion-dog hybrid creatures sometimes symbolize Chinese culture. On 1stDibs, find a variety of foo dog artwork.

Yes, foo dogs are lions. Foo dogs are believed to be Chinese guardian lions and are typically made of stone. Foo dogs are often displayed in pairs outside of entrances to act as guardians for the home. Shop a selection of foo dogs on 1stDibs.

Chinese Foo Dog

Dog Vase

Dog Carving

Chinese Guardian Lion

Japanese Inspired Black and Gold Vase with Family Scenes and Foo Dog Handles

$1,125

Japanese Inspired Black and Gold Vase with Family Scenes and Foo Dog Handles

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Japanese inspired Chinese black and gold vase with hand-painted family scenes, foo dog handles and gilded floral décor.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Jar with Lid and Foo Dog Finial

$1,950

Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Jar with Lid and Foo Dog Finial

Located in Yonkers, NY

Accented by a domed lid crowned with a foo dog finial and flanked by lion-mask handles, this jar is steeped in traditional Chinese symbolism.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Jars

Materials

Porcelain

Art Déco German Painted Porcelain Foo Dog Perfume Lamp/Incense Burner by Aerozon

$1,300

Art Déco German Painted Porcelain Foo Dog Perfume Lamp/Incense Burner by Aerozon

By Aerozon

Located in North Miami, FL

Molded as a chinese guardian lion (or 'foo dog') with head tilted to the heavens, the figurine stands upon its four paws.

Category

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Enamel

Important Pair of Louis XV French Ormolu 3 Light Candelabra w/ Chinese Foo Dogs

$52,600 / set

Important Pair of Louis XV French Ormolu 3 Light Candelabra w/ Chinese Foo Dogs

Located in New York, NY

An Important Pair of Louis XV Period French Ormolu Three Light Candelabra with 18th Century Chinese Foo Dogs An important pair of Louis XV period French ormolu three light candelabra...

Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese, Ribbed Vases

$5,800 / set

Pair of Chinese, Ribbed Vases

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of chic, black, ribbed Chinese vases with Foo Dog lids.

Category

20th Century Chinese Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Antique Indian Hindu Temple Nandi Bull Bronze Copper Alloy Statue

$3,500

Large Antique Indian Hindu Temple Nandi Bull Bronze Copper Alloy Statue

Located in Forney, TX

Various Possibilities: Ideal for both use as an interior / indoor sculpture or exterior / outside / outdoors / patio statue, monumental / slightly smaller than life-size, great in yo...

Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Folk Art Statues

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Copper

Large Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns

$10,600 / set

Large Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive pair of palace size Chinese porcelain lidded urns with foo dog handles and hand decorated with aquatic scenes with fish and plants.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Urns

Materials

Porcelain

late 19th century Large 24.5'' Blue and White Chinese Hat-Covered Porcelain Jar

$8,880

late 19th century Large 24.5'' Blue and White Chinese Hat-Covered Porcelain Jar

Located in Brea, CA

Qing Dynasty late 19th century large 24.5” blue and white Chinese hat-covered porcelain jar, foo dog finial on repaired lid, 4 lions heads, baluster form body decorated with two big ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Jars with Lids - A Pair

$3,200 / set

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Jars with Lids - A Pair

Located in Bradenton, FL

Pair of Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Jars with Foo Dog Finials. Jars feature dragon motifs.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jars

Materials

Porcelain

Republic Period, Spinach Jade Urn

$4,800

Republic Period, Spinach Jade Urn

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elaborately carved, richly colored, Chinese, spinach jade urn with Foo dog lid and two-sided, top-to-bottom bas relief, foliate and geometric embellishments.

Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Urns

Materials

Jade

Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions

$15,753

Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions

Located in Kastrup, DK

Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road.

Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Statues

Materials

Stone

Silk Embroidery Artwork in a Gilt Frame, France, 19th Century

$516

Silk Embroidery Artwork in a Gilt Frame, France, 19th Century

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Style : Orientalist Asian Decorative Arts Traditional Chinese 19th Century Eclecticism Antique Textile Art Collectible Decoration Key Features : Hand-embroidered silk Depicts two my...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Chinoiserie Tapestries

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Unique cornflower blue and gray pottery baluster jar

$1,500

Unique cornflower blue and gray pottery baluster jar

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Hand-painted ceramic baluster jar, muted cornflower palette, traditional English-Chinese motif, and foo dog figure lid. A great size, can hold a large top heavy floral arrangement, i...

Category

20th Century Qing Jars

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Qing Dynasty Incense Burner with Foo Dog Finial

$1,400Sale Price|60% Off

19th Century Qing Dynasty Incense Burner with Foo Dog Finial

Located in Somis, CA

Foo Dog being the beloved Chinese mythical animal is used to "guard" family wealth.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture

Materials

Brass

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Chinese Foo Dog For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Chinese foo dog you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A Chinese foo dog — often made from ceramic, metal and porcelain — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the Chinese foo dog you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A Chinese foo dog made by Hollywood Regency designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one Chinese foo dog that is appealing in its simplicity, but Herend, James Mont and Sarreid Ltd. produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Chinese Foo Dog?

Prices for a Chinese foo dog can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $250 and can go as high as $19,895, while the average can fetch as much as $1,717.

Questions About Chinese Foo Dog

What do Chinese foo dogs represent?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Chinese foo dogs are called “shishi” in China, which translates to “stone lion”. Shishi were traditionally placed in pairs outside of palaces, offices, temples and bridges to protect the home from evil spirits. Browse a selection of antique foo dog sculptures on 1stDibs.
What are foo dogs made of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Traditional foo dogs, also known as fu dogs and lion dogs, are made from stone. Foo dogs are traditional Chinese ornaments believed to be guardians of the home, with pairs being displayed at the entrances. Shop a wide selection of authentic foo dogs through 1stDibs.
What is the meaning of foo dogs?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
What the meaning of foo dog artwork is largely comes down to personal interpretation. Traditionally, the figures, also called guardian lions, represent protection, success, wealth and good fortune. Because they originate from China, the lion-dog hybrid creatures sometimes symbolize Chinese culture. On 1stDibs, find a variety of foo dog artwork.
Is a foo dog a lion?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, foo dogs are lions. Foo dogs are believed to be Chinese guardian lions and are typically made of stone. Foo dogs are often displayed in pairs outside of entrances to act as guardians for the home. Shop a selection of foo dogs on 1stDibs.