Staffordshire has been the center of ceramic production in Great Britain since the early 17th century and its porcelain has reached popularity on the global stage and market. The county has made a historical mark for itself within the pottery industry because of its prolific production.
Related: Staffordshire Pottery: Britain's Ceramic Center
Besides being home to famous ceramic companies such as Spode and Wedgwood, Staffordshire is also known for their charming figurines which comes in various sorts and types, of which the favorite are the “Staffordshire dogs”.
These wonderful ceramic hounds most commonly came in a pair of two and were produced in many different dog breeds such as pugs, greyhounds, collies and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The dog has always been man's best friend, which is probably why these charming mantelpieces are so beloved.
The Staffordshire dogs started as silly gifts that could be easily purchased in baskets on the street from local potters in the villages around Staffordshire. They also were rumored to be part of a secret lovers' language, where the dogs would be placed in the window and depending on how the dogs were facing each other, this would send a message to the lover outside.
The Staffordshire dogs were decorative interior items in most English homes during the Victorian era, placed on the shelf of the fireplace or on tables.
Related: Ceramics 101: British Studio Pottery
"It is quite rare to come across an intact pair from the 18th century, the earliest production the Staffordshire dog figurines," explains Cecilia Nordström, specialist in Asian ceramics and works of art, European ceramics and glass at Bukowskis auction house in Stockholm, Sweden. "Usually those pieces are very unusual."
The earliest production of Staffordshire dogs are the ones most valuable on the market today, especially if they come as an intact matching pair. However, this is extremely rare nowadays, which is why these Staffordshire dogs are not often found at auction houses.
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There are also unique pieces which were produced very early in the 18th century of special dog breeds that can reach quite large sums at auction. The dog figurines have long been a collectors item, but with each generation tastes and trends change, which also influences the demand for them. In Great Britain, the Staffordshire dogs are still decorative and beloved items in most English homes, symbolizing English countryside life. Staffordshire dogs are in fact bearers of great British craftsmanship and part of their cultural history. The Spaniels are especially popular, perhaps because of their connection to the royal family who favored this dog breed.
Queen Victoria for example had a spaniel named “Darling Dashy” Dash who she wrote about warmly in her journals. Royals have always been style icons so since the Staffordshire figurines would reflect life in England during this period, maybe this is why the spaniel became so popular?
Now that the Staffordshire dogs are some of the worlds most reproduced pieces with time it has become harder to separate the old from the new. There are however a few guidelines in how you spot out the originals. Give great attention to the whole piece, and make sure to investigate the bottom part properly, as drips and drops of old paint are good signs. If you find larger holes in the bottom, use a coin to compare the size. If they are similar or larger than the coin, you can be sure that it is a reproduction, since the old antique ones usually only have small fire holes. The bottom is never perfectly smooth and it could have an “dramatic” structure if it is very old.
What are your Staffordshire pieces worth? Get an appraisal with ValueMyStuff!
The reproductions are in general too perfect, which is something you also can see if you find a matching pair of two dogs and stand them next to one another. If they are too similar this is not an antique, since all of the old ones have a charming unique look with small brush strokes and painting on the backside. If the glaze is too shiny this also gives away a reproduced figurine. Today, you can find Staffordshire dogs at auction for a few hundred dollars, or larger collections of them for a few thousand.
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Article by Kristina Gyllenberg Holst
This is an updated version of the article originally published on April 8, 2020
