The Valuable Thrifted Item That Dog Lovers Should Always Keep Their Eyes Peeled For

There are many benefits to visiting thrift stores, especially if you're a collector or reseller. You can find fantastic deals, even on items that are worth a lot of money. While no two thrift stores are created equally, it's still worth it to stop by when you're in the area of one, and keep an eye out for things collectors really want. This is especially important when looking for quirky decor items at the thrift. One item you should keep your eyes peeled for, if you're a dog lover and like quirky vintage decor, is vintage Staffordshire dog figurines. They may become your newest treasured antique items.

Staffordshire dogs are valuable earthenware figurines made explicitly from clay found in Staffordshire, England, hence the name. The dogs themselves are only one of the types of these figurines, which were made starting in the 19th century in Victorian England. The dogs are one of the most popular sellers that emerged from that time, which also included human figurines and other animals. They can fetch anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. The fact is, there are numerous reproductions of these whimsical dog statues, so it is crucial to know what to look for when identifying an authentic one. They originally came in pairs of two, but nowadays it isn't easy to find them that way (which is one sign you may have discovered an authentic one). 

While you can enjoy the look of even faux Staffordshire figurines, if you're looking for authenticity, it's essential to know how to authenticate your thrifting finds. To save you some research, we have included some key things to look for in these precious pups. The most valuable Staffordshire dogs are those made early on, which makes sense since they would also be the most difficult to find. To know if the vintage-looking dog figurine you found is an authentic European Staffordshire piece, you can look at a few details. Look for a hole in the bottom of the figurine. While a hole doesn't mean it isn't authentic, it does mean you'll need to do some more research on that piece if it does look old. The original Staffordshire pieces were created with press molds, leaving no hole behind. Very few were made with slip molds, which is the same thing used to make modern knock-offs.

Look for brushstrokes and painting on the backs of the dogs, both of which are signs of authenticity. If they have gold coloring on them, the vintage Staffordshire dogs will be less shiny. If you are lucky enough to find a matching pair, see how well they match — originals won't be the same, while reproductions could be. Lastly, take a look at the bottom again — it should be similarly glazed as the rest of the figurine, but may have imperfections. Newer pieces will likely not have a glazed bottom.