Lady Violet's Chinese glazed ceramic "Foo Dogs" hint at a traveled past and lend a touch of the exotic in the Dower house. The Foo-dogs do not represent dogs however they are Chinese guardian lions or Imperial guardian lions.
Statues of mythical guardian lions were traditionally seen in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples and wealthy homes for protection.
See them on eBay
There is actually a category on eBay just for Foo Dogs HERE