Antique Staffordshire Spaniel, "Old Staffordshire Ware," c. 1900–1920s

A Staffordshire spaniel of the kind that sat on English mantels by the millions, one at each end of the shelf, facing in. This is the seated "Wally dog" model: molded wavy coat, coppery-luster dashes across the fur, a gilt collar and chain looping to a small padlock, black muzzle, hand-painted amber eyes. He turns slightly to his right, which means he began life as half of a mirrored pair. His mate is out there somewhere; for now he stands alone, which is its own kind of charm.

The base carries the red "Old Staffordshire Ware, England" mark, tied to William Kent of Burslem, who pressed these spaniels from the original molds. The wording dates him between 1891 and the early 1920s, so, early twentieth century, right around 1900 to the 1920s. Over a hundred years of sitting on shelves, and the crazing in the glaze is simply that time showing itself.

What he was made for hasn't changed: holding one end of a mantel, a shelf, a stack of books, keeping the room company. Single dog, sold on his own. Light wear to the gilding consistent with age, shown in the photos. 11" Tall.