Plaster spaniels

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

Can anyone tell me about these old dogs?

Were they always plaster or did they come out in ceramic or porcelain.

Were there reprodutions made or is this likely to be a genuine old doggy.

When were they made.

[siddieswans]

http://atreasuredpast.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/collections-carnival-chalkwareplaster.html

is a good starting point. If you google "plaster dogs" "images" you will see some exactly like yours. 30-40 years ago I can remember them being quite common - people used to put them in the garden or on verandahs like gnomes. I imagine because of damage - both to the plaster and paintwork - it is fairly unusual to see them in good condition these days. Who made them - ? I have always thought that the factories that made the plaster Saints for RC churches - like Mattei Bros - were a good guess - I have seen some plaster figures with an impressed mark around the base.

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

Thank you