Pair of vintage ceramic Staffordshire 1378-4 fireplace dogs from Beswick, England 1960

This set of two ceramic Staffordshire Spaniel Mantle Dogs was made by the English Beswick factory in the 1960s. The catalog number is 1378-4. The figurines are made of high quality hand painted ceramic. Decorated with a gold chain, a medallion and a creamy white dress. Usually placed on the mantels of 19th century homes. In Scotland, they were commonly called Wally dugs. The Staffordshire spaniel was the quintessential Victorian middle-class ornament and a status symbol. No fireplace was complete without a pair of spaniels standing guard. Staffordshire dogs are now collector's items. The quality of the modeling and painting of the figures can vary. Many copies have been produced, but originals in good condition and in the right pairs are now rare. Victorian tales describe the usefulness of placing Staffordshire Spaniel figures on windowsills. One story tells of a woman who placed figurines on her front window. If the spaniels were far apart, her husband was home. If he was far away, the dogs were facing each other. When her lover walked by the house, he knew if he could visit her without her husband knowing.John Beswick, formerly J. W. Beswick, was a pottery producer from 1894, based at Gold Street Works in Longton. Initially, it produced tableware and ornaments, such as cats and Staffordshire dogs. In 1934, high temperature bone china was introduced. This meant that they could produce high quality figurines, such as the famous race horses and champion dogs. In 1969 Beswick was sold to Doulton