A pair of Staffordshire figures of greyhounds, circa 1850.

One greyhound stands on a leaf-strewn mound with a dead hare in its mouth, the other stands on a flower-strewn mound with a dead hare lying in front of it, 27.5cm.

The six towns now encompassed within the city of Stoke-on-Trent in North Staffordshire were a centre for pottery production from the 17th Century.

With easy access to the required materials, hundreds of companies began producing various forms of pottery and by the 18th Century, Staffordshire was the main centre for ceramic production in the country.

Staffordshire pottery began to be exported around the world, especially from the early 19th Century, but by the end of the century demand was in decline as other countries developped their own industries.

REFERENCE: CER0209

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