Houzz Feature: 12 Antique Store Finds to Nab Now, Place Later

My foo-dog picture was featured on Houzz, so if you are interested in the scavenger hunt and knowing more about what to nab when you see them, you can head over to Houzz to read the "12 Antique Store Finds to Nab Now, Place Later" article by Charmean Neithart. 

Have a great Civic Holiday long weekend everyone! We are heading to Tobermory to see some cottages. I hope to call one of them with a waterfront view like this mine. Wish me luck!  

A Tobermory waterfront cottage facing Georgian Bay

Vintage Find: Turquoise Foo Dogs

Can you see I am doing my happy dance? I am so thrilled when this pair of more-than-perfect vintage turquoise foo dogs arrived in the mail today. Nothing feels sweeter than having a long-time décor dream fulfilled. Thank you Vi from Goodieshunt for packaging them perfectly and shipping them out so quickly.

Aren't they perfect? I think they would look great in my white hutch buffet.

As you know I am an online shopaholic so I have my fair share of dealing with different types of sellers virtually. For me a big part of my decision-making when it comes to buy from a particular seller is their communication and willingness to help. Some are willing to invest in extra time answering your questions on the origin, the year of make, and the dimensions etc. Others I never heard any peep out of them. For the latter unless they have something so unique that I can only buy it from them (and I am desperate), I usually just move on and am willing to pay a little more for others' helpfulness. At the end of the day, do I really want to be reminded of a bad shopping experience behind anything I buy? We are always buying a total package, no?

So after a long search for a pair of true vintage foo dogs like this, I finally found them through a trusted seller. If you'd like to learn more about how to spot true vintage porcelain figurines, you can read more here.

How To Spot True Vintage Foo Dogs

A while ago I scored this pair of turquoise foo dogs from an antique chinaware store, but I also wanted to find a pair of the more iconic sitting pair to complete my foo dog collection. True vintage foo dogs are not easy to come by these days. After all they were last popular around 1930s when Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie décor was trending. Since this décor theme has made a big comeback in recent years, there have been so many replicas floating around which come in different glazes, shapes and sizes. Since I've done so much research on them, I thought I'd share with you my tips on how to spot and score true vintage foo dogs on pedestal.

In short, it's all about the details and the glaze. I remember when I was in that chinaware store, the soon-to-retire owner told me that artists from China with such intricate carving, engraving and glazing skills are long gone and many generations ago, so a rule of thumb to identify a true vintage piece is in the details.

 

In case you are wondering if I actually ended up finding a true vintage pair, the answer is YES, and they are en route to me. I will take some pictures when they are here. Can't wait!