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.

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.

Kutani Foo Dogs

Lions Of Foo

Chinoiserie Dogs

Japanese Porcelain Figurine

Japanese Lion Sculpture

Satsuma Kutani

Temple Dogs

Shishi Lion

Japanese Kutani Early 20th Century

Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain 'Kutani' Foo Dogs

$3,500

Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain 'Kutani' Foo Dogs

Located in Brisbane, QLD

A pair of fine quality Japanese Kutani foo dogs in rich polychrome enamels over porcelain.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

1970s Japanese Satsuma Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs, Hand-Painted

$825 / set

1970s Japanese Satsuma Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs, Hand-Painted

By Satsuma

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani porcelain foo dogs, presented as a matched pair of guardian lions with hallmarks stamped.

Category

Vintage 1970s Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Kutani Hand Painted Porcelain Foo Dogs With 22K Gold Japan, 1950's

$2,320Sale Price / set|20% Off

Vintage Kutani Hand Painted Porcelain Foo Dogs With 22K Gold Japan, 1950's

Located in North Miami, FL

The foo dogs are ferocious shishi lions with very colorful and detailed Kutano style moriage porcelain with overglazed enamels of paint that are so meticiously and tirelessly done.

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Recent Sales

Pair of Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs

Sold

H 8 in W 7 in

Pair of Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs

Located in Essex, MA

A lovely pair of dogs for display. Vivid colors.

Category

Antique 19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Pair of Antique Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs

Sold

H 12 in W 8.5 in D 8 in

Pair of Antique Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs

Located in Forney, TX

A fabulous mirrored pair of Kutani foo dog shishi / Buddhist temple guardian lions, hand-crafted in Japan during the Taisho period, the early 20th century Kutani porcelain sculpture ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs Sculptures/Figurines

Sold

H 11 in W 9 in D 6 in

Pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs Sculptures/Figurines

By Satsuma

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is a pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani porcelain Foo Dogs. They are hand painted white and adorned with gilt and silver suns, flowers and scrolls.

Category

20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Vintage Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs / Temple Lions

Sold

H 6.5 in W 5 in D 6 in

Pair of Vintage Japanese Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs / Temple Lions

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of Japanese Kutani porcelain Foo Dogs/Temple Lions. They are hand painted white and adorned with gilt gold.

Category

Vintage 1970s Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Kutani Foo Dogs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Questions About Kutani Foo Dogs

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.
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.