Pair Of Victorian antique black Jackfield Staffordshire Dogs.The dogs are 12" inches high (30cm), and if you look closely at the photo's of the bases, you can see the red earthenware fired clay showing through. Jackfield ware was produced by the application of a black glaze over a red earthenware body. The process was developed early in the 19th century in Jackfield, Shropshire and copied by the Staffordshire potters. The death of Prince Albert in 1861 and Queen Victorias use of black in mourning, lead to this finish becoming popular. What makes these dogs a little more rare, is that they have the white enameled eyes. As you can see from the photographs, the gold highlights have worn,but that isn't unusual with these black dogs of this age.There is a very small vent hole in each base,and a small vent hole behind the left ear of each dog. I have been searching for these scarce black dogs for several clients and finally have a small grouping arriving from Europe. Please check back as I will be listing one more pair and several single mantle dogs. All the antique pieces vary in size and composition and some have glass eyes. No two are alike