It has been said, and rightly so, that a man’s best friend is his dog. It would appear that collectors of antiquies second that notion as canine collectibles continue to hold strong, even in the current soft market.
Throughout history the relationship between a man and his dog has reflected his social standing and lifestyle. To own a Shih Tzu or Toy Spaniel during the Renaissance period signified affluence and social standing. Hunting dogs have run the full gambit from the bloodhounds of the common man to the sporting breeds of nobility, such as Greyhounds and German Weimaraners. The St. Bernard stands as a symbol of protection and Collies are known for their loyalty, making them great family pets. Each of these breeds, and many more, were immortalized in porcelain in the late 1800s and the throughout the 20th century. Many factories in Japan, France, Germany and the U.S. contributed to these collectibles, but when you say porcelain dog the picture that comes to mind for many are the incredible Staffordshire Spaniels.
The Staffordshire potteries produced a wide variety of animal figurines but none so widely collected as their spaniels. This is credited, in large part, to the popularity Queen Victoria’s beloved pet Spaniel, Dash. He often sat next to her on the throne and as a result his portrait was done by many of the royal court painters. Dash became a symbol of the quintessential Victorian pet and a popular motif for art and pottery design during her reign from 1837-1901.
Staffordshire Spaniels were sold in pairs and range in size from slightly over a foot to a few inches. The taller pairs, also known as fireplace or hearth dogs, acquired their name from their traditional placement standing guard on the mantel piece in the homes of the elite of the Victorian era. Each dog was hand-painted, so no two are exactly alike. They are easily recognizable with their creamy top coat over a base of rust, copper or black patches and a gold chain with a locket around the neck.
There are two main molds for the spaniels, with the difference being the form of the legs. The most common model features the front legs molded to the body. The more rare dogs will have two distinct front legs. Collectors watch for the later of the two as well as Disraeli Spaniels which have curly locks painted on their foreheads and the highly sought Jackson Spaniels that are solid black.
At their origin (1720) the dogs were finely painted with great attention to detail. However, as we move into the last quarter of the 1800s the painting was no longer done by skilled artists but rather by women and children. Even though the “quality” of the painting is decreased on these pieces they are still highly collectible for their charming folk-art feel.
Authentic Staffordshire Dogs were produced until the late 1920s but since the late 1990s they have been widely reproduced. Watch for tell-tale signs of a fake when purchasing . These include a hole slightly larger than a pencil eraser in the bottom of the piece, a base that is flaky and features that are too deliberate. Authentic Staffordshire Spaniels will have a stark white base. If you are seeing a grayish tint, then you definitely have a reproduction.
NOTE: Reproductions have improved through the years, fooling even some experienced collectors. To be certain that the spaniels you are buying are genuine always deal with an established antique mall or specialized auction.
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates. Linda is not taking clients at this time.
