apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

You can find these at any Asian Antique shop. I saw a pair at the one in DUMBO on Jay Street. I couldn't tell you the name of the shop, just that its south of Water on Jay. Not very expensive.

Check out item #130094273217 on ebay.

These look just like the turquoise foo dogs at www.gumps.com.

http://www2.icollector.com/catalog_html.aspx?sid=11547
i have seen a picture of two lions here.
Lot 1095501

start price: $50

good luck!

ooh. i wouldn't know, but i love that room! anyone know where you can find a couch like that?

Maybe Pearl River Mart on Broadway.

The lions are available at the newly expanded 2nd floor of Pearl River. A similar sofa can be found at Room

That's Nick Olsen's studio (a VERY small and cool space, btw), photographed in Domino. He blogs on the Domino website, so I'm sure you could just ask him about his stuff!

http://www.dominomag.com/daily/blogs/dailydose/the_deal_hunter

Jon at Happy Mundane just posted this two weeks ago: http://happymundane.blogspot.com/2007/03/blue-munday-whats-up-foo.html

Better than bidding on ebay, he listed a place where you can order them in plaster to paint any color you want, for only $16 a set! http://www.plastercraft.com/bookends.html.

These are more commonly called 'fu dogs.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_guardian_lions

Russ,
Lauren is correct - what you are looking for are Chinese Foo (or Fu) dogs - sometimes called Foo Lions. You should be able to find examples in antique stores and ebay as well as many traditional decor stores.
I believe William Sonoma Home is selling white ones this year.
Hope this helps!

First of all, I'd blow off the advice to go look for any item at Jonathan Adler's shop... Although this is just the sort of decorative object thing he puts his spin on, His stuff also got over-exposed years ago when perky Katie Couric was still situated on the "Today" set with all sorts of his ceramics in the background used as props. His stuff is over-produced, over-priced, and all homogenous. You may as well shop at West Elm.

Ask yourself the following: Do you want a guest to enter your home and say, "Oh, what a nice Jonathan Adler..." or do you want to hear "Oh, what an amazing set of lions!!!"

Do you have a time machine you can use to travel back to the 1960's? Turquiose statues of horses, hippos, dogs, lion and what have you were ubiquitously produced at the time, so much so that there was actually a bit of uniqeness to various pieces, which Mr. Adler's work lacks. With the passage of time, these have become even more unique.

If you don't have a time machine, I'd troll antique shops, ebay, and flea markets. You'll find something great.

eBay has been loaded up with Foo Dogs lately. Prices are rising as they are a trendy design object these days, Adler's book is chock full of them. Get 'em while you can.

Becky

China-import warehouses are your best bet, they usually have them in multiple sizes and styles, and then you can paint them whatever color you want. I did this a few years ago, in a haha-dare-you gift exchange with a friend, and had his sprayed hot pink. He proudly displays them on his dining table everytime I come for dinner, LOL.

The fu's were about $20 for the pair (14 or 16" tall) and the painting cost another $20 at a local paint shop (might have been on the cheap side because I was having them paint some furniture for me at the time). Far better than the paint job I could have done with a brush or a spray can.

I bought my identical Fu Dogs at Pearl river. I believe they are $18 each. They also have fancier version in turquoise for around $60.

I'd hit Chinatown itself where you'll be able to find foo dogs at prices even lower than Pearl River's and perhaps in colors other than white or turquoise. It's also the sort of thing you might find for $10 at a thrift shop.

Hi Russ,
Someone mentioned earlier about a Chinese Antique shop in Dumbo on Jay Street. That place is called J. East. They have a lot of stuff. A LOT. I bet they will have what you are looking for, since Fu dogs are very popular in our culture. Ask for Michelle when you stop by she was great. They also might give you a discount if you pay cash. They sure did for me. Good Luck!

Here is the link to Jay East.
http://www.sfunkt.com/index.php/jayeast/

I bought my Fu Dogs on Ebay for under $20.00. I love them. DO NOT pay more than $20.00 for these. Chinatown, NYC probably has them for even less.

I know this is an old comment string and perhaps no one else will refer to it but.....
You need to consider if you are just wanting to duplicate the room or create a room.
Around the early 1900's teal blue foo lion dogs were imported and today those antique dogs have values from $70 to $500 depending on the given day and location.
If you really like the foo lion dogs I'd opt to purchase something antique that has real value rather than a $20.00 knock off.
I am always for purchasing a few really nice quality pieces for any room and then do the best you can with duplicating the rest.
Since the foo lion dogs are real show stoppers in this room I'd opt for an antique. Plus it makes for great story telling when they are noticed and commented on...and they will be notices and commented on.
Check out antique stores, the internet and ebay for the antique version. Anything that you pay less than $70.00 for I'd question.
Note: We own an antique set of these and they are fantastic. You won't be sorry you spend the extra money.

But if you just want to duplicate the look and can't afford an antique then check into the other reasources already mentioned in this thread.
Good Luck.