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, colourfull figures, sold to decorate the more humble households. In a dark cottage in winter they must have seems so bright and joyful, there colours brightening all rooms from kitchen to bed chamber.

This is a Staffordshire figure of a courting couple under a tree with their pet King Charles spaniel
 
No chips or cracks. Paintwork slightly rubbed in some areas.
 
Dimensions: 13cm wide, 7cm deep and 21cm high.