Originally listed at $400...

Staffordshire (England or Scotland, 19th century). A delightful ensemble of four Staffordshire dog figurines - endearing spaniels standing guard that were also referred to as fireplace dogs or hearth spaniels, since their owners oftentimes displayed them on top of mantelpieces. Given royalty's admiration for the King Charles Spaniel breed, these were particularly popular during the 19th century. This group includes a pair and three singular dogs in a range of sizes from 3.5 to just under 12 inches tall. The spaniels are decorated with a creamy white base and russet red markings; some have golden lockets; all sit at attention, and one of the pair is sitting upon a barrel. Given that Queen Victoria's love for her own Cavalier King Charles Spaniel attracted the attention of Staffordshire potters during the mid-19th century, such Staffordshire spaniels were status symbols among Victorian bourgeois society, gracing elegant mantelpieces and window sills. Size of the largest: 4.5" L x 10" W x 11.875" H (11.4 cm x 25.4 cm x 30.2 cm)

Provenance: private Evergreen, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA, collection, acquired 1960 to 2000

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#168636

All are nicely modeled and hand painted. Largest: a few scuffs and areas of pigment loss as shown; one stable hairline fissure above left proper ear; minute casting flaw on verso; vent hole on base. Pair: craquelure to glaze on verso; small surface abrasion/loss/possible old repair on barrel; visible moulding marks; old label on verso; vent hole on verso. Larger of the two smaller single spaniel figurines: minor surface wear with a few minor scuffs/pigment losses and vent hole on base. Smallest: nice craquelure, a few stable hairline fissures radiating from minute loss surrounding vent hole on base, and normal surface wear commensurate with age.