Collecting English Staffordshire Dogs

Attending the Holliston Antique Show in  Massachusetts was the perfect cure for what seemed like endless weeks of snow.  The sun was shining, the roads were clear. I was ready to enjoy the company of good friends while hunting for formerly loved treasures.

Collecting Staffordshire Dogs was a natural progression from my love of animals and my life of  incorporating canines into our human family lifestyle.  

Staffordshire Dogs, like real dogs come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.  The most recognized is the brown and white spaniels complete with gold leash and locket. These were produced in the Staffordshire area of England and were most popular during the 19th Century.  

The dogs came in pairs that faced in opposite directions.  No Victorian home was complete with a pair of Staffordshire dogs gracing the mantle.

The expressions of the Staffordshire dogs differ, as they were all hand painted.  Some carry baskets of flowers.  I find these to be exceptionally charming.  

While most dogs were made to stand guard on the mantle some dogs were made to be used as pitchers. 

The spaniel is most popular, due to the popularity of the breed with English royalty.  In the 1600s King Charles owned a spaniel.  Queen Victoria had her spaniel "Dash."   

Staffordshire dogs were also produced to represent other breeds, including boxers, pugs, greyhounds, and poodles.

This adorable set of English Stafordshire poodles is one of my favorites.  They sport a coat of confetti fur, similar to the spaghetti poodles of the 1900s.   

Collecting Staffordshire dogs opens a world of canine delights.  The variation in painting and expression of the dogs will make collecting these dogs a very special experience.  

Till Next Time, Stay Well, Stay Happy

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Astonishing Vintage Fashion and Textile Show in Sturbridge

I always look forward to attending the Vintage Fashion and Textile Show in Sturbridge, MA.  The show is always held on the Monday before Brimfield opens and the nice part is it is in an air conditioned hotel.

This year there was more vintage menswear displayed and a quick look at the attendees supported that men are beginning to take notice of vintage fashions.  However, my interest continues to be with the fashions from the late 18C.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to find matching skirts and bodices however one dealer had several 2- piece walking suits that were in exceptional condition. It was difficult to select only one. 

Another sweetheart of a bodice was made in France circa 1870.  It was a pale blue and white stripe, so refreshing and summery, it had the original bones and full lining. This piece was very difficult to pass up.

I decided upon an uncut bodice, that means it had not been part of a dress that was cut into a top and bottom.  It was made in England in the 1880s of ivory and black silk.  The style was unusual and the dealer was exceptionally helpful and pleasant.   

 

 

The front has jet beadwork which I was not able to capture in this picture

 

 

 

This is all silk ruching completed by hand, some of the jet beads are visible at the top of the bodice

 

 

Here is some of the black jet beading around the sleeves, all hand stitched

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy.