An oh so Charming Pair of Early Porcelain Staffordshire Spaniels by Samuel Alcock

THE STORY - Anyone who knows my shop will know my passion for early Staffordshire Figurines, with the naive charm they convey and I am thrilled to have this pair of Spaniels by the Staffordshire Potter Samuel Alcock. The Spaniels with their high red patches both sit of mound bases painted a light yellow with a gilt rim and I have to say in this instance it is pretty obvious which is the Male and which is the Female in the pair. They are made by one of the few known Staffordshire Potteries Samuel Alcock and would date to circa 1840. Samuel Alcock was based in Burslem and had a very successful business not just for animal figurines but for everyday useful ware. He impressed each of his figurines with a number not always easy to read or to decipher, The Male Dog has the number that looks like it is either 16 or 91, but is hard to read where the female dog has the number 121. I love the way the the Female gives the impression of knowing just how pretty she is where the Male seems a bit overwhelmed and wide-eyed. And they are a lovely size being just over 5" in height which are rarer to find than Samuel Alcock's miniature figurines.

AGE - Circa 1840

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Female Dog - Height 5&1/4" /13.5cm, Width 5"/ 13cm, Depth 3&1/4" / 8.5cm. Male Dog - Height 5&1/4" / 13.5cm, Width 5" / 13cm, Depth 2&3/4" / 7cm

CONDITION - Both the Figurines have had their bases restored. (I think they have been repainted as I cannot see any crack marks or repairs at all.) The Female Dog has some paint loss on the patch of her Upper leg, there is also a mark at the back by her tail which can be seen in the tenth photo but it does not feel like a crack. The base does not sit completely flat and there is a little wobble to it when pressure is applied. The Male Dog has a firing fault to the top of his head as seen in the eight photo and there is light wear to the paint on his muzzle and around one eye.

Although these Spaniels are not like the typical Staffordshire Spaniels or Wally Dugs we love so much, they really do have their own unique charm. I doubt they would of been put on the window sills as a messaging system for their owners but were more likely put on a shelf or mantlepiece of their middle class homes. But what these Spaniels have is personality certainly a pair but also so individual with their expressions. Their bases may of been restored but for me it in no way effects their beauty and it is so lovely to have found them.