This is a fine pair of antique late Victorian Staffordshire dogs. They take the form of a pair of seated chimney spaniels. They are genuine Victorian examples, and definitely not modern reproductions.
They are nicely modelled examples with no chips or cracks. They have their original brown glass eyes and curved black eyebrows, as photographed. They are a matched pair, as created. They have black painted muzzles with little whiskers painted on at the top. Each dog also has a prominent red down-turned mouth, as photographed.
These heads on these dogs are flatter in shape - and the have rather square formed spaniel ears.
Each dog has a little gold-coloured collar with a padlock on it. The padlock and chain on each dog have a little rubbing and a wee bit of losses to the gilding - but this is common with constant handling on older models. This pair still has a lot of decorative gilding on their body sections. Often, a lot of this gilding has been rubbed over over the decades. My pair has lots of gold random flecks all over to suggest the texture of the dog's fur. Not only does the gilding suggest the texture of the fur but there is some raised modelling also suggests a wavy coat.
There are air holes in the back of each dog, as photographed. Each dog has been made from two mould sections which have been joined by a seam to form the whole model. You can see the old seams around the centre of the dogs and as found on older examples taken from a mould and not slip-cast. The dogs have conjoined but nicely modelled forepaws. I love the dogs' very long curly tails. They are certainly a fine late 19th century pair of chimney spaniels.
This pair has a nice overall gloss to the glaze. There are no nasty chips or cracks. There is some (expected) craquleure (very minor commensurate with age) on the shiny glaze. I have taken close ups of this to show you the glaze crazing. This is very subtle and not obvious unless on close up inspection.
There was a little chip on the base of one dog. I have had this restored and you can hardly see it - only on close up inspection if the dog is turned over. And certainly never on display. I have mentioned this for accuracy. I have photographed the restoration in my last photograph.
They are fine display pieces - and will look fabulous on a mantlepiece or old-fashioned kitchen dresser. They are a good size for a modern domestic interior.
Height: 12 inches. Width: 10 3/4 inches and the depth (at the widest) is 4 inches. One dog (the one representing the male dog) is slightly taller. You often find that is a pair - when one dog is the boy dog and the other one the smaller lady dog.
Location Code: 9/26 A and 9/26 B
They will be carefully packed and sent to you with Royal Mail Tracked (Medium Parcel). This will be applied to your order at the checkout.