Featured Is this a Staffordshire doggo? And is he real or a repro? Thank you xx

I doubt that it's a recent reproduction, but if made before WWII, it could easily have been made from an old mold using 19th C production techniques. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I like it. I think the fur and the chain are rendered in a way that you wont find on newer pieces. The hand packed appearance of the body and details like traces of gold paint on the chain are, to my mind, consistent with age.

I like the chain, which seems to be a bit atypical. These figurines were meant to be seen from one side. On most these, the chain makes at least a pretense of looping around to the back where it disappears. On this, it follows the curve of the body downwards. Is that a good thing, or bad?

Don't know about the hole. Vent holes are meant to reduce internal pressure that builds in the kiln where the outside of the piece bakes first trapping moisture on the inside. I don't know that the placement of the hole on this is particularly efficacious for that intent, but then I don't know how deep the hole would have to go to be effective. If the clay was hand packed, they risked firing cracks without it.

 

I know this isn't very scientific, but he feels older rather than newer. I handle old stuff often, (only my own stuff though) ( but I DO have a couple of tonnes)

I can of course be quite be wrong, it's only an instinct at best. He does just feel old-at-least-ish but again, I have no experience except for this particular one.
I do see the very modern repops at car boots,they seem to be everywhere but they are quite obviously modern.

I have tried to compare bits of him to online pics but it's so hard to get a proper picture this way. The lustre isn't bright, it's quite dull. He has bits of paint slopped all over him so whomever did it however many years ago,they weren't very careful!

It's been very interesting,and thank you to all for taking the time to reply and give me opinions xx

 

Something further to consider, these items including most repro's until the later 20th century were made in the UK. Due to WW2 the UK wasn't producing much in the way of decorative items until the 1950's, so 40's would be a very odd date for something like this.

 

Great point which I would have never thought of,thank you x