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ID #SA1239588
FOR SALE
£975
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An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)
For sale by Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,141     $1,238
£975
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 407 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
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Id #SA1239588
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An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)

1900 - 1920
Description

A highly decorative and substantial pair of Chinese Foo Dogs, dating to circa 1900 and showcasing the fine craftsmanship of French manufacture. Solidly cast and exceptionally tactile, this heavy pair exemplifies the late 19th and early 20th-century European fascination with Chinoiserie. They survive in very good condition with no damage.

Artistry & Detail

• Dynamic Modelling: Each figure is brilliantly sculpted with superb anatomical detail, capturing a powerful sense of movement, an assertive stance, and a traditionally fierce, defensive expression.

• Faux-Lacquer Finish: The cast iron is enriched with a vibrant, hand-painted finish meticulously executed to simulate classic Asian red lacquer.

• Striking Highlights: Their stylised teeth and expressive eyes are crisply highlighted in a contrasting white paint, adding dramatic intensity to their expressions.

• Rich Patination: The painted surfaces have aged beautifully, developing a deep, dark, and authentic patination over the last century that enhances their depth and contours.

Condition & Dimensions

• Condition: Structurally flawless and structurally sound with no cracks, breaks, or repairs. The hand-painted surface exhibits a beautifully aged patina consistent with its antique status.

• Height: 16 cm

• Width: 17 cm

• Depth: 13 cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
16cm (6.30")
Width
17cm (6.69")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Cast Iron Foo Dogs to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239588
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A highly decorative and substantial pair of Chinese Foo Dogs, dating to circa 1900 and showcasing the fine craftsmanship of French manufacture.
“
Solidly cast and exceptionally tactile, this heavy pair exemplifies the late 19th and early 20th-century European fascination with Chinoiserie.
Robert Belcher Antiques

They survive in very good condition with no damage.

fig 1. A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
fig 1. An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)

Artistry & Detail

• Dynamic Modelling: Each figure is brilliantly sculpted with superb anatomical detail, capturing a powerful sense of movement, an assertive stance, and a traditionally fierce, defensive expression.

fig 2. A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
fig 2. An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)

• Faux-Lacquer Finish: The cast iron is enriched with a vibrant, hand-painted finish meticulously executed to simulate classic Asian red lacquer.

• Striking Highlights: Their stylised teeth and expressive eyes are crisply highlighted in a contrasting white paint, adding dramatic intensity to their expressions.

fig 3. A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
fig 3. An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)

• Rich Patination: The painted surfaces have aged beautifully, developing a deep, dark, and authentic patination over the last century that enhances their depth and contours.

Condition & Dimensions

• Condition: Structurally flawless and structurally sound with no cracks, breaks, or repairs. The hand-painted surface exhibits a beautifully aged patina consistent with its antique status.

• Height: 16 cm

• Width: 17 cm

• Depth: 13 cm

Height
16cm (6.30")
Width
17cm (6.69")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Cast Iron Foo Dogs to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239588
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
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Archive I A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.

An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)

Archive II A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View II
Archive III A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View III
Archive IV A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View IV
Archive V A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View V
Archive VI A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View VI
Archive VII A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View IX
Archive X A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View X
Archive XI A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View XI
Archive XII A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques
Telephone 07929 011224 or 01905 622468
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rbelcher
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 407
Items Sold 677
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rbelcher
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
407
Sold
677
A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
An Ornate Pair of French Chinoiserie Cast Iron Foo Dogs (Circa 1900)
Ref: SA1239588
A pair of reddish-brown cast iron Chinoiserie guardian lions with swirling manes and open mouths displaying white painted teeth.
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Archival Detail

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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectStatues
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleFrench Chinoiserie
  • MaterialCast Iron, Paint
  • ColourReddish Brown
  • MotifsSwirling mane, Scrolling tail, Open mouth, Cast relief texture
  • SizeH 16 cm (6 in) x W 17 cm (7 in) x D 13 cm (5 in)

This pair of French Chinoiserie Foo Dogs, dating from circa 1900, takes the form of statues in a French Chateau style. Modelled in cast iron with a reddish-brown painted finish that simulates red lacquer, the pair displays textured cast relief, swirling manes, scrolling tails, and open mouths with white painted teeth and eyes. Each figure measures 16 cm high, 17 cm wide, and 13 cm deep. Suitable for display in a home today, this substantial pair is positioned on a mantelpiece. The dynamic modelling captures an assertive stance and defensive expression, while the aged patina enhances the depth and contours of the heavy cast iron body.

FAQs

Foo dogs, or Chinese guardian lions, originate from traditional Chinese architecture where paired stone lions guarded temple and imperial entrances. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, European decorative arts embraced Chinoiserie, producing metal and ceramic interpretations of these traditional symbols for domestic interiors.

Turn-of-the-century Chinoiserie sculptures were frequently produced in cast iron, bronze, or spelter, often finished with polychrome paint, cold-painted accents, or patinated lacquer finishes to mimic antique Oriental bronzes or cinnabar lacquer.

Authentic period cast iron pieces exhibit substantial weight, fine seam lines from multi-part moulding, and natural wear to painted or patinated surfaces, particularly along raised edges and crevices, rather than uniform modern powder coating.

A paired set of guardian lions functions well symmetrically framing a fireplace mantelpiece, positioned on a console table in a foyer, or flanking books on a deep bookshelf to add historical weight and texture.

Keep cast iron items in a dry indoor environment to prevent rust oxidation. Dust regularly with a soft bristle brush, and avoid water or chemical solvents that could strip original painted or patinated surface finishes.
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