What is known as Rockingham pottery began in England and is characterized by its mottled brown surface. When English potters began immigrating to America, they also brought this distinct glaze with them. Soon Rockingham pottery became the majority of pottery manufactured in mid-nineteenth century America. A wide range of products were made with the Rockingham glaze, many of them highly detailed relief-molded jugs with themes of nature and hunt scenes. Sometimes animal figures would also be produced, however, not in great quantities. The Rockingham animals were used primarily for decorative purposes. This seated dog was meant to resemble the popular King Charles spaniels and would have been used as a door stop.
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