Timeless and classic, decorating with Staffordshire dogs is a design trend that has been popular since the early 1800's. These proper English dogs are making a huge come-back in design, they seem to be popping up everywhere! Originally created to be displayed on fireplace mantels during the Victorian Era from the early 1800's, Staffordshire pottery dogs came from the many pottery companies located in the Staffordshire area of England. This area has an abundance of local clay and coal, and these resources were used to produce the many charming but somewhat unsophisticated figures to sell to the working class. Other animals were produced, and royalty, famous persons, even famous criminals! But I love the dogs best.

ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE DOG

Also called "pot dogs" or "china dogs," the ceramic figures were made by pouring liquid clay {slip} into molds. Once the clay figure had dried, it was fired it to a hard "bisque" state, covered with several coats of clear glaze and fired it again at a higher temperature. After the second firing the figures were hand painted with china paint, in several coats, firing between each coat.

19th CENTURY STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS ON A BARREL

Staffordshire potters modeled their figures after Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, named for King Charles II of England who was constantly surrounded by these little dogs at court. But it was Queen Victoria brought the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to prominence, her love for her own spaniels attracted the attention of Staffordshire potters in the mid-19th century. The queen's beloved companion "Dash" became famous and the subject of many artists painting, drawings and figures. It is recorded that on the day of her coronation, she rushed back to Buckingham Palace and ran up to her room to give Dash his bath. Often the Staffordshire production jobs were worked on by children as young as six years old. The Staffordshire figures were meant to entice the interest of the working class, they were inexpensive pieces of pottery that were sold on trays in the street. Many of the dogs are a little crudely made and/or brashly painted, such as these two little brothers, above. But there is no denying that even the most in-elegant dogs are charming, and capture the fierce haughtiness of the Cavalier Spaniels!

19th CENTURY CREAM STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS PAIR

Not just in the brick red, brown and black colors, the Staffordshire dogs so beloved and collected today come in all white. The earlier figures were modelled in the round, as you can see on this dog above, the back was also modeled. Later in the 1800's, the backs became "flat" - which was less expensive to produce and easier to make.

WHITE ANTIQUE POODLE STAFFORDSHIRE DOG

This dog has the more rare to find open feet, and is a poodle, covered with "bocage" to resemble his curly fur. He has such an expressive face!

ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE WHITE POODLE FAMILY

And this is a little family grouping I bought at the same time. Each has its own personality! Most Staffordshire pottery dogs are unmarked, although the smallest of the little white dogs above has a maker's mark for Kent, England. When buying Staffordshire dogs {if you're not buying them from FrenchGardenHouse} look for wear to the bottom. Remember that this was never intended to be high quality porcelain, so they should not be perfect. The figure should have small, as in tiny, holes to allow for the figure to let steam escape in the kiln. Since many reproductions have been and are still being made, a large dime sized hole is a clear give-away. Most collectors have at least one pair of Staffordshire dogs, but their beauty and personality truly become apparent when they are displayed in a "pack." STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS - LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM?

à bientôt

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