Myrna Schkolne: Early Staffordshire Figures

This pearlware figure group is unique. A sweet little spaniel together with her pups, it is in the "Sherratt" style and titled VAL LAY. Val's discovery some years ago helped my friends Malcolm and Judith Hodkinson complete a puzzle. Malcolm and Judith owned a similar little dog titled ROVER &. Of course, placed alongside my figure, the full wording reads ROVER & VAL LAY. The meaning is subject to interpretation, to say the least...but the pair are delightful. See them side by side in my book.

The rarest of all treasures and the very best of all dogs, my much-loved friend, Maddie, who wagged her tail for the last time on Tuesday afternoon.