Victorian Vintage Matching Pair Staffordshire Poodle buying Dogs 1850-1950

A stunning pair of original vintage, ceramic Staffordshire dogs, the pair are poodles, both are in good order vintage condition ( see photos )

Made in England: Staffordshire

For generations, these kinds of dogs stood in front of the windows in port cities. They were taken in the nineteenth century by skippers who sailed on England.

There they were made in the county of Staffordshire, the center of the pottery industry. They were sold en masse especially during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Most of the dogs were, just like this couple, King Charles Spaniels, the same breed as the dog of Victoria.

They were usually placed in front of the window as a couple. The idea behind it was that they were looking forward to the return of a beloved son or father from a trip at sea.

The Victorian tale goes that spaniel figurines placed on the windowsill sent out a secret message. A woman would place the ornaments in her front window; if they were back to back, it meant her husband was at home. If the dogs faced each other, buying it meant her husband was out at sea, welcoming her lover in to the house.