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Staffordshire Dog
Ceramic spaniel figurines, made in pairs in 19th-century England.
Figurines & Tiles · Indicative US retail $80–$1,500
At a glance
- Family: Figurines & Tiles
- Periods most often found: Most date from 1840 to 1900; reproductions are very common.
- Typical price: about $300; range $80 to $1,500 and more for exceptional pieces
- What drives value: Pairs, age
What it is
Staffordshire dogs are earthenware spaniels made in pairs in the potteries of Staffordshire, England, to sit facing each other at the two ends of a mantelpiece. Cheap, cheerful and produced by the thousand from about 1840, they show King Charles spaniels with gilt chains and lockets, often with copper-luster or red-and-white coats; greyhounds, poodles and dalmatians also appear.
How to identify and date it
Period dogs are press-molded and hand-painted, with crisp but softened details, enamel colors over the glaze, and kiln marks on the base; the base is usually open or has a small vent hole. Reproductions from the 20th century are lighter, more regular, and often cast with a closed, smooth base and bright, flat paint. Check ears and tails for restoration, which shows under UV light. True pairs are mirror images.
Periods and styles
Most date from 1840 to 1900; reproductions are very common.
How much is it worth?
On the US retail market, most staffordshire dog examples ask around $300. Simple or worn pieces start near $80, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $1,500. The main value drivers are: pairs, age. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.
Questions buyers ask: staffordshire dog figurines value. The answer depends on the points below, which are worth checking before you compare prices.
Before you buy
- Confirm a mirror-image pair
- Check the base and weight
- Look for restorations
Living with it
A pair of Staffordshire dogs on a mantel or bookshelf is a classic English country touch that sits easily in a French room.
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How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.