In the 18th and 19th century, every house had a fireplace, and therefore a mantlepiece, and in the grander houses, several mantlepieces. These would be decorated with all manner of things from clocks, candlesticks, photograph frames and pottery and brass ornaments.
 
Hundreds of pottery factories were set up in Staffordshire during the Victorian period, many of them producing crude, colourful figures, sold to decorate the more humble households. In a dark cottage in winter they must have seems so bright and joyful, their colours brightening all rooms from kitchen to bed chamber.

This is a large single staffordshire figure of a King Charles spaniel.
 
In good condition.
 
Dimensions: 30cm wide and 10cm deep with a height of 33cm.