How can you tell if a Staffordshire dog is real?

Your checklist for genuine antique Staffordshire dogs… Painted decoration: detailed with a face full of character and slight differences between the pair. The back may be painted. Soft gilding showing evidence of age. Signs of crazing, or firing flaws on the base.

Is Staffordshire pottery valuable?

Values vary widely ranging from $500 to several thousands of dollars for each piece depending on many different factors. Staffordshire pieces were exhibited at World’s Fairs and public exhibitions like the Panama Pacific Expo of 1915.

Are Staffordshire dogs stamped?

The later English versions are often stamped on the base “Staffordshire”, “Ye Olde Staffordshire”, “Staffordshire Potteries” or “Made in England”.

Why are Staffordshire pottery dogs called Wally dogs?

In Scotland, they were colloquially termed Wally dugs and were manufactured in bulk at potteries in places such as Pollokshaws in Glasgow and Portobello near Edinburgh.

Is Staffordshire pottery marked?

A common potters mark or symbol can be found on large quantities of Staffordshire pottery & porcelain. The Staffordshire knot mark, as it is known, consists of a three loop knot constructed from a length of rope. Often with a set of initials within the knot loops and sometimes a crown above the knot.

What are Staffordshire dog figurines worth?

On average, staffordshire dog figurines on 1stDibs sell for $226, while they’re typically $125 on the low end and $4,700 for the highest priced versions of these items.

Are all Staffordshire dogs marked?

Most Staffordshire pottery dogs are unmarked, although the smallest of the little white dogs above has a maker’s mark for Kent, England. When buying Staffordshire dogs {if you’re not buying them from FrenchGardenHouse} look for wear to the bottom.

Is Staffordshire pottery always marked?

Like other low cost mass produced items, original 19th and early 20th century Staffordshire figures are very rarely marked. Modern manufacturers, however, knowing that “Staffordshire” is respected and desired, frequently use the word to imply age, quality or other values to their modern products.

What is Staffordshire pottery?

Today, “Staffordshire” is a generic term for brightly decorated white clay figural pottery of that region, made ca. 1840 to the early 20th century, ca. WW I. This includes portrait statues of persons and a variety of animals especially dogs.

Are Staffordshire dogs really made of English clay?

If all the dogs sold as English Staffordshire were really made of English clay, the island of England today would be about the size of a tea caddy. No other Victorian-era collectible–with the possible exception of Currier and Ives prints–has been so heavily and steadily reproduced as these simple faced cottage canines.

What are Staffordshire dog figurines?

Staffordshire dog figurines are matching pairs of pottery spaniel dogs, standing guard, which were habitually placed on mantelpieces in 19th-century homes. Mainly manufactured at the Staffordshire Potteries, these earthenware figures were also made in other English counties and in Scotland.

Where were the first Staffordshire dogs made?

Handsome pair of porcelain black and white Staffordshire Dogs, made in England at the turn of the century. Due to its handpainted nature, each dog figurine has a distinct face with e… Wonderful pair of red Staffordshire dogs with separated front leg. Pair of 19th century Staffordshire dogs mounted as lamps.