Lot 55: A Pair of Late Victorian Hand-Painted Bisque Porcelain Pug Dog Figurines Who said Kruger
A pair of late Victorian or Edwardian hand-painted bisque porcelain figurines, each depicting a seated pug dog. The dogs are modelled with characteristic facial wrinkles, large eyes, and dark muzzles, set upon naturalistic rock-form bases decorated with moulded pinecones and leaves. Each figurine features a hand-inscribed phrase in black cursive script on the front face of the base reading Who said Kruger. This inscription refers to Paul Kruger, President of the South African Republic during the Second Boer War (1899-1902), identifying these as patriotic novelty items produced during that conflict. The figurines are finished in an unglazed bisque porcelain with hand-painted details in tones of cream, black, brown, and red. Both items bear circular white adhesive labels on their bases reading 12. One figurine also carries an orange rectangular adhesive label marked 5. No manufacturer’s marks, signatures, or backstamps are visible on the base or underside of either piece.
Condition report:
Both figurines exhibit surface grime and minor age-related wear to the hand-painted decoration, particularly to the black pigment on the muzzles. The figurine positioned on the right in the primary image shows a visible break and subsequent repair to its front left leg, marked by a clear horizontal join line (photo 1). The bisque shows some light pitting and kiln dust consistent with mass-produced ceramics of the period. No other major chips or cracks are apparent.
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