"Foo dog" is a term for a Chinese lion figure. They look like foo dogs to me!
Metal? What do the bottoms of the feet look like? Any mark any where? Could they be plaster or ceramic and the sand is for weight?

Thanks for the reply. I have looked all over for any markings. I do think they are metal whether copper, bronze or brass; not sure but I am inclined to say copper considering the verdigris on them. I am puzzled about the gold color.

There are tiny felt pads glued to the feet; would they be marked there?

I did find one the same looking but more than 15 inches tall on eBay for $599.00 so I am pleased with my $10. purchase.

LOL! I'll bet you are..!
When you tap on them do they sound like metal?
Why do you say "verdigris" looks like green paint to me.
Sometimes you find something that is just "one"....you can find stuff similar....but if it's not poured into a mold, there won't be another exactly like it.

Maybe verdigris is the wrong word but I have seen the "old patina" on copper and the like called verdigris. They do, indeed, have a metal sound to them when tapped on.

I have a lot of OOAK and weird stuff. Fun to have stuff very few, if any, others have.

They are pretty. All the Foo dogs I own have either one paw on a Foo puppy (female) or one paw on the world (male).

Thanks, Blue Onblue, I have seen the ones with the paw on the puppy or world. I wonder if those were from particular countries?

Are you by any chance a Bobby Vinton fan? I liked him a lot.