This is a very adorable antique Staffordshire jug or pitcher which takes the form of a little begging King Charles Spaniel.
It is a genuine antique example and dates to around the 1860s.
He is shown rearing up on his back legs with his forepaws tucked onto his wee chest.
He must be a quirky jug for serving wine out of at Victorian dinner parties or formal events, as he wears a little tricorn hat with is decorated with plum-coloured grapes and vine leaves. The front of his hat forms the spout.
Love his face - he has painted yellow eyes and a little black muzzle with brown painted whiskers. Big bushy black eyebrows and rust-brown floppy ears.
Check out his wee red down-turned mouth.
Lots of little hand-painted russet patches all over - quickly applied with a broad brush. His tail curls around one side.
There is a nice big handle to the rear which is in good condition with no damages or restoration. With craquelure to the glaze, commensurate with age and use. There is a short fine hairline crack to the bottom of his tail area (as shown in my last photograph in my series of images) - so perhaps the wee fellow might be best as a decorative rather than a functional item. This is taken into account with my pricing (and the fact that he is now 160 years old) - these begging dogs are keenly sought after.
He is being sold and listed as a genuine antique piece NOT A REPRODUCTION.
He is undoubtedly a very nicely modelled and painted example, and pretty good antique condition, as you can see in my photographs. All the details on the model are nice and crisp and the paintwork is of fine quality.
Height: 10 1/2 inches.
Weight unpacked is 1 kg.
UK postage quoted is for Next Day Special Delivery with the Royal Mail. This will cost £10 for UK posting - and this will be applied to your order at the checkout stage.