Pair of Staffordshire porcelain Cavalier King Charles dogs on terrace, 19th century.

Pair of Staffordshire porcelain dogs, hand-painted in ecru and russet, depicting two Cavalier King Charles standing, one with its head turned to the left and the other to the right, elevated on a rectangular pink base decorated with green leaves. This pair of dogs, estimated to be from the mid-19th century, is in perfect condition with no cracks or chips. Highly valued at the Victorian court, the Cavalier King Charles saw its representation widely popularised in the decorative arts of the 19th century, where it was originally designed in pairs to adorn the fireplaces of bourgeois English homes. A folk anecdote suggests that the two dogs placed behind a window conveyed a message: if their gaze was turned inward, the man of the house was absent, whereas if their gaze was turned outward, he had returned. It is from this posture, in pairs, facing each other with an air of defiance, that these dogs gave rise to the expression "to look at each other like porcelain dogs." Ideal for a side table, a fireplace, or a bookshelf, they will add an antique and vintage touch to your decor.