Myrna Schkolne: Early Staffordshire Figures

I am a dog person and could not have written my book without the constant companionship of my English cocker spaniels, Martha, Max, and Maddie. But I do think Staffordshire figures of cats are particularly spiffy. These are two of my favorites.

This plump pussy cat is very engaging. Looks you right in the eye, with a fat body that seemsready for cuddling. I love the marmalade enameling, and there is something about the roundness and weight that makes this figure sit comfortingly in the hand. Not a common cat by any means--but then early cats are rather rare. That's because the cat was not yet considered a domestic animal in the early 1800s.

This cat is quite small, yet again its round shape is life-lie and appealing. This one is in the "Sherratt" style. The sprig impressed into the green area of the base is found on other small figures made by "Sherratt"--dogs, sheep, deer etc. These animals all occur paired. But I have yet to find a cat to pair with this one. I live in hope!

But because ours is a doggy household, I end this posting with a pearlware figure of a dog. No turkeys, I'm afraid. Nonetheless, happy Thanksgiving to you, your dogs and your cats.