Friday, August 23, 2013

Staffordshire Dogs in Staffordshire China


From the very early 19th Century comes this Staffordshire Terriers Bull-Baiting Staffordshire Figurine. Notice that the bull is tethered -- this is spectacle mauling of a bull by two dogs, with a ring master to work the crowd.  The piece was sold by Christie's Auction House for $10,158.  

Other Staffordshire figures of the era depicted bear-bating (1820) with the bear muzzled as it fought off dogs.  The piece below sold for $22,705

All baiting sports, such as those shown here, were by banned by the British Parliament in 1835.

 

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