This classic Victorian Porcelain Pug was made by world renowned German Company, CONTA AND BOEHM, in the early 1800™s. Conta and Boehm pugs have become much sought after by collectors all around the globe. This lovely specimen has the typical gold and blue trimmed collar, bearing five bells and a bow at the back. The pug has the cropped ears of the typical old German style. The figurine measures 5 inches tall x 5 ½ inches long at the base. CONDITION Many of these old porcelain pugs have broken or repaired tails, bells or collar bows, but this one is in fantastic condition. As with most porcelain pugs of this age, some of the gold paint is worn off the bells. This only vouches for its authenticity and age. In fact, if you find a pug with all of the gold intact, it probably isn’t an antique or it has been repainted. The gold paint used to be applied after the glaze firing, to prevent the gold turning black. But it meant that the cold painted” gold was quite easily rubbed off. MAKERS MARKS AND AGE This pug has the number 1560 incised on its base. This indicates an early piece. The incised Roman numeral "I" indicates the model number. The number ‘3’ also appears. Conta & Boehme's hallmark is a bent arm holding a sword, enclosed in a shield. Earlier pugs had the 4 digit number only WITHOUT this shield mark.