I am puzzled by this little dog.
His owner thinks he is English pearlware, and so do I. If you tip the dog over, the bottom edge of the base and the interior are unglazed, so apparently the dog has lost its base. Originally, it had either a small base or it was part of a larger figure group, perched atop a grassy mound perhaps. The problem is that I have never before seen a dog of this form. Also, the owner cleverly notes the resemblance to this dog.
This weird little pup was salvaged from the cargo of the Diana, which wrecked in the Malacca Straits in 1817, complete with a load of Chinese export wares.
Alongside is another Diana dog. This one looks even less like our collector's pearlware pooch. There are definite differences in the mold--most notably the shape of the face--and, of course, the Diana dog is not decorated in pretty enamels.
Why the resemblance? We may never know. But it would be lovely to connect the pearlware dog to the Potteries. So if you have seen another like him, please let me know.
Why the resemblance? We may never know. But it would be lovely to connect the pearlware dog to the Potteries. So if you have seen another like him, please let me know.
