This pair of large, early Victorian Staffordshire Whippets, (or are they Greyhounds), holding hare in their mouths, is always a noble, elegant statement. Staffordshire pottery figures are a delight, charming and quite cosy. But these whippets present a chic, almost architectural image, wonderful on a mantel, a book case or a side table. They represented the aristocrats with their affection for both dogs and hunting.

This pair are not the later versions of these hounds, which were popular even in the 1920’s. Those have a very different look, harsher colours, stronger eyes, greener bases. This pair of dogs stand on the creamy white bases with a bit of green bocage decorating the ground. Their whiskers are delicately painted as is the nose. The coat has been almost sponged painted with the stronger peach colour slightly mottled while the lower body and legs are a soft peach. The ribs are delineated beautifully. There is a gold line at the base.

It is much more difficult to find a pair of these whippets with hare. They are clearly male and female, with slightly different coloured hare in their mouths. The female, slightly smaller, is the more fierce looking of the two.

This monumental pair are in very good condition. One of the dogs might have had hair cracks on its fine back legs. But if it has been repaired, it has been excellently done as I cannot decipher any repairs. The other dog has been wonderfully repaired at the neck. The male has his gold collar worn off. But there are no chips and the ears are in a perfect state.

The male is 11 ½ inches high, 9 ½ inches long and 2 ¼ inches deep. The female 11 inches high, 9 ½ inches long, and 2 ¼ inches deep.
The male dog weighs 2lbs. 10 oz: the female weighs 2 lbs. 8 oz.