Debra Clifford Antiques Devon

Description

#AD085: Antique Victorian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Souvenir Fairing Figural

A late Victorian / Edwardian era china fairing is a small porcelain pottery antique decorative figural piece which was sold as souvenirs in tourist destinations, or given away as fair prizes, thus the term "fairing." They were in use from the 1850's until about 1915.

This is a beautiful uncommon 4 inch vintage porcelain staffy dog fairing figurine. He is a Staffordshire Bull terrier, and sits with a beautiful gold gilt basket in his mouth, bearing luscious fruit. The front has a nicely handwritten fairing type script which reads "A Present from South End on Sea." You can see his loose bulldog skin wrinkles on the back.

Southend-on-Sea is a sea resort town on the Thames Estuary in Essex, southeast England. It sits 40 miles east of central London and is usually simply referred to as "Southend."

The bottom is marked "Foreign." This is a clue to date, as the US and UK enacted 2 bills requiring the actual country of origin be clearly marked on items imported into their countries after 1890 and 1897. These were the US 1890 McKinley Tariff Bill, and the UK 1897 British Merchandise Marks Act. We feel this piece dates from the about 1890.

It is made of high quality porcelain, with no further markings or stamps. He was most likely manufactured in Germany, much in the style of the famous Goebel Company. Staffies are a stocky and strong dog with a large head, very muscular, and one of the most popular dogs in Britain.

Condition is beautiful, no chips, cracks or restoration. He was found in Newton Abbot, Devon, England and is a great old Victorian piece. The Victorians were extreme dog lovers, as England and Devon is still.

Size: 4 inches high by 3.25 inches in width
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