Pair Large Victorian Staffordshire Greyhounds With Hares, England C.1850

An impressive and unusually large pair of Victorian Staffordshire pottery figures, made in England circa 1850. Modelled as a true opposing pair of greyhounds or whippets, each dog stands with a hare held in its mouth.

Each elegantly elongated dog is shown beside a substantial white tree-trunk support, with one hind leg raised against the rocky ground. The dogs are decorated in warm reddish-orange and pale fawn tones, with carefully painted facial details, black whiskers and noses, and narrow gilt collars. The hares are painted in softly mottled grey-brown tones.

This model is documented in A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Dogs, p. 78, figs. 2621 and 2622, where closely corresponding examples are described as a pair of large standing whippets. Comparable examples are also frequently catalogued as greyhounds, reflecting the closely related appearance of the two breeds in Victorian Staffordshire production. The documented model, large scale and true opposing format make this pair particularly appealing to collectors of Victorian Staffordshire animal figures. Both figures are unmarked, as is typical of much Staffordshire figure production of this period.

Dimensions. First figure: height 27.5 cm; width 24.5 cm; depth 8.6 cm; weight 1345 g. Second figure: height 28 cm; width 24 cm; depth 8.4 cm; weight 1296 g.

Condition. First figure: a few small firing cracks are present in several areas, together with localised old repainting along the line where the hare joins the dog; otherwise in excellent antique condition. Second figure: in excellent antique condition. Both figures were examined under UV light; no restoration or overpainting was detected beyond the repainting noted on the first figure. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.