Antique Staffordshire Child and Dog Figurine

Recently arrived from a lifelong collector in England, we were thrilled to present this wonderful Antique Staffordshire Child and Dog Figurine. The young child is wearing a dark blue tunic over green pants and is perched with a jaunty stance atop a patient and friendly russet-spotted spaniel.

Middle class Victorians loved a colorful home. There's no other way to explain the tenets of lavish Victorian decor: colorful figurines adorned their fireplace mantels, transferware dishes lined plate racks and sideboards in their dining rooms and on every table stood figures, animals, vases, and other ornaments. More was always more for the Victorians - on both sides of the Atlantic.

With the creation of wealth from the Industrial Revolution, the production of Staffordshire figurines exploded in the early 1800s to meet the demand of the middle-class Victorians. The vast majority of these decorative, hand-painted figurines were produced by the Staffordshire potteries to imitate the much more expensive Meissen and Nymphenburg figurines being produced on the continent and found in the homes of the upper-class.

In the many pottery factories of northern England, experienced decorators worked on more exclusive porcelain, while new or unskilled laborers (typically women and children), painted these popular Staffordshire figurines. Painted quickly and freely, the result is a folk-art quality that adds to their timeless appeal. It wasn't until the 20th century that serious collectors began to appreciate the charms of Staffordshire more naïvely decorated figurines.

This cheerful statuette showcases the naïve, folk-art appeal of Staffordshire figurines and is sure to be a most charming start to Victorian Staffordshire appreciation or a much-celebrated addition to your beloved collection.

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Circa 1850s. In very good antique condition. 3.75"H x 4.5" x 2.5".