Not too long ago, I visited my favorite antiques place looking for a pair of Foo/Fu dogs. They were everywhere, it seemed. It was a veritable Parade of the Foo Dogs.
There’s a ton to learn about Foo Dogs, if you’re interested, which I am ;) . They’re actually “Chinese imperial lions,” and they stand guard at entrances to all sorts of things: palaces, government buildings, temples…the usual.
Foo Dogs come in male/female pairs, as you may know. The gentleman Foo Dog stands with his paw on a ball, which represents domination over, well, the world, I suppose. The gentlewoman Foo Dog has her paw on a little lion cub to represent nurture. Which isn’t sexist at all.
These are my dream Foo Dogs. Or they would be, if they WERE Foo Dogs. A friend informed me that they’re actually dragons. No globe, no smushed lion cub. But they’re awesome nonetheless, don’t you think?
They’re pretty pricey — around $500, if I recall. But they’ve been at the antique store for quite a while, so I’ll keep my eye on them.
These little guys were billed as Foo Dogs, but they’re probably not, either. They’re about 4″ high, and they weren’t expensive. If they’re still there when I go back, I’ll get them.
Practically EVERY store has Foo Dogs these days.
And of course there are thousands of vintage Foo Dogs online if you’re looking for something more special:
As for what do DO with your stylish newfound companions? Put them on a mantle, a side table, or a bookcase.
Bottom line: if you come across a pair of Foo Dogs in your real or online travels, Gentle Readers, snap them up. I promise we’ll find a place for them.
Annie Elliott | bossy color is a design firm based in Washington, DC. Annie’s design work and decorating insights have appeared in local and national publications, most recently The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the podcast, The Home Hour.