Where did these dogs sit?

These ornaments traditionally stood at opposite ends of a domestic mantelpiece, positioned to face inwards towards the centre of the fireplace hearth. Pairs were manufactured as left- and right-facing counterparts specifically to maintain this symmetrical arrangement in the living room.

What are spill vases?

Spill vases feature an integrated hollow holder positioned behind the main animal figure to store thin wooden spills used for transferring flames. Victorian households utilised these holders on mantelpieces before the widespread availability of matches.

Dating relies on stylistic clues, ceramic bodies, and painting techniques characteristic of periods from Regency through to the mid-twentieth century. Victorian examples often display copper lustre or hand-painted enamel, whereas later Edwardian and 1940s pieces show shifts in manufacturing materials like plaster or refined ceramic bodies.

Are they all spaniels?

While spaniels dominate the category, the selection includes related breeds and companion animals modelled in the same Staffordshire style. Listings encompass poodles with pups, Maltese terriers, and dogs accompanying human figures alongside standard seated spaniels.