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Staffordshire dogs have become one of the most popular
pieces of collectible ceramics in recent years. For those interested in
Victoriana, nothing quite exemplifies it as these spaniels, originally
created to be displayed on fireplace mantels during the Victorian Era from
the 1840s through the 1890s.
Staffordshire pottery dogs come from the many pottery companies located in
the County of Staffordshire, England, which produced them to sell to
working class families to decorate their homes. While they produced dog
figures from 1720 to1900, the peak of interest and, therefore, production
came towards the end of the 19th century. Staffordshire spaniels are the
most common and come in many sizes, shapes, and color schemes.
The Staffordshire area, including Stoke-on-Trent, also known as "the
Potteries," has an abundance of local clay and coal. Local folk artists
used these resources to produce many charming unsophisticated figurines to
sell to the working class. Aside from dogs there were depictions of other
animals, royalty, famous persons, cottages, commoners, politicians, and
even murderers! Made to decorate fireplace mantels, most had unfinished
backs.
Also called "pot dogs" or "china dogs," these were ceramic figures. Liquid
clay called "slip" was poured into molds to make them. When the clay
figure had dried, potters fired it to a hard "bisque" state. They then
covered the bisque figure with several coats of clear glaze then fired it
again, this time to a higher temperature. It was after this second firing
that they hand-painted them with china paint. This paint, being
translucent, had to be applied in several coats, with firings between each
coat. Finally, they applied real gold in a liquid suspension, which again
with firings between several coats.
Staffordshire spaniels are the quintessential Victorian decoration. Of all
the figures the potters created, sets of whimsical spaniels became the
favorite, and came to epitomize Staffordshire ceramics. Why do these
quaint dogs evoke the charm of the Victorian era so well? Perhaps, it’s
because they offer collectors a direct connection to Queen Victoria.
What Dog Inspired the Figurines?
Staffordshire potters modeled their figures after dogs known as Cavalier
King Charles Spaniels, named for King Charles II of England who was
constantly surrounded by these merry little dogs and gave them free run at
court. His opponents accused the King of "Playing with his dogs all the
while, and not minding his business." Lord Rochester made this poetic
observation, "His very dog at Council Board, sits grave and wise as any
Lord."
Charles's brother and successor, James II, also loved the little spaniels.
When forced to abandon ship, he ordered "Save the dogs!" and after a
moment of reflection added, "and Colonel Churchill."
Colonel Churchill later became the Duke of Marlborough, as well as a
breeder of the little spaniels. Churchill developed the strain of Cavalier
Spaniels that are white with chestnut patches called the Blenheim.
Blenheims sometimes have a much coveted chestnut spot on the top of their
heads. While Churchill was in Europe fighting the Battle of Blenheim, his
wife was at home nervously waiting to hear the outcome. She found comfort
by holding one of their spaniels that was soon to have puppies. As she
stroked the dog, her thumb was frequently pressed on it's head. Her dog
had five pups, each with a spot resembling a red thumb print on the top of
its head. The mark became known as the Blenheim spot. Churchill won the
battle of Blenheim and was rewarded with a great house called Blenheim
Palace.
It was Queen Victoria that brought the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to
prominence. And it was her love for her own spaniels that attracted the
attention of Staffordshire potters in the mid-19th century. Her beloved
companion "Dash" became famous and the subject of many artists. On the day
of her coronation, she hurried back to Buckingham Palace to perform an
important duty. She gathered her skirts and ran up to her room to give
Dash his bath.
While many collectors think the potteries only produced spaniels, they, in
fact, produced other types of dogs, among them Dalmatians, the rarest of
all. Some potters mounted their Dalmatian figures on blue bases. They also
produced detailed poodles, as well as pugs, pointers, foxhounds,
sheepdogs, staghounds, setters, harriers and greyhounds. Staffordshire
dogs appear most commonly in left/right pairs, but sometimes potters
included a center figure. Over time the detailing changed and Victorian
potters in Staffordshire engaged in less detailed modeling of their
figures.
The Market for Staffordshire Dogs
When purchasing Staffordshire dogs, collectors must first learn the
variations and what clue this may suggest about their age. Two similar
dogs can look quite different when side by side. Unfortunately, collectors
may not be able to look at them side by side. It’s important to study
these dogs in guides such as The Collector's Guide to Staffordshire
Pottery Figures, which shows such a side by side comparison.
Staffordshire dogs dropped out of favor with collectors until the 1920s
and 1930s, when reproductions filled the market. As in Victorian days,
collectors displayed them on fireplace mantels. Even at that time, prices
were high. By the 1940s, collectors had lost interest and prices
plummeted. The dogs once again caught the attention of collectors in the
1980s and prices skyrocketed. Today, prices can be as low as $350 for a
pair of late 19th century spaniel figurines. However, rarer ones, like
Dalmatians, even when damaged or with known restorations, can sell for
several thousand dollars.
Since the early 19th century pieces are the most expensive, it’s important
for collectors to recognize them when they can be authenticated. It’s very
important to become familiar with the almost naive painting appearance, as
well as the feel of the dogs. Since artists painted hundreds of these
figures by hand, no two of the early ones look alike. Also, part of the
charm of the early pieces may also be because children, who did some of
the painting, were among the factory workers.
Recognizing Originals
To know if a piece is authentic or not, a collector should know that the
interior surface was smooth. Later figures, produced by the slip-casting
technique, have slight indentations. Collectors should also examine the
vent or firing holes. Current reproductions can have holes as large as a
quarter. Early, authentic figures have no holes. Since early molds still
exist, it’s easy to reproduce the figures.
Staffordshire potters never marked their figures. Other English factories
that did similar figures, such as Bow and Derby, did mark their
hand-molded pieces.
While most collectors may have one pair of Staffordshire dogs, it’s only
when packed together does their beauty and their subtle differences become
apparent. A "pack" of Staffordshire dogs can form the theme for a special
room in a collector’s house. Of course, to do this most collectors will
either have to rob a bank or win the lottery.
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