Bold and exciting animal designs have become a speciality in recent years at a prolific pottery based in deepest Somerset.

'DENNIS CHINAWORKS was established in Shepton Beauchamp, a small South Somerset village, by Sally and Richard Dennis in 1993 in the stables of the Victorian rectory. Interestingly, the name Dennis Chinaworks is a misnomer, because the company makes earthenware pottery, not porcelain or bone china...'

Staffordshire Animals. The charm of this colourful Victorian pottery is explained by Fran Bryant.

'Almost everybody will be aware of the famous Staffordshire Pottery spaniel dogs, often known as ‘comforter dogs’. which stood on the mantelpieces of dwellings throughout the land. These figures, popular because they were a favoured breed of Queen Victoria, typify peoples idea of Staffordshire either as crudely modelled examples of Victoriana or, to their devotees, as quirky, charmingly naive, and often uniquely and humorously expressive examples of the potters craft...'

Dennis G. Rice lends his expertise to an appreciation of 19th century feline figures.

'For more than a thousand years the domestic cat has insinuated itself into the lives of men and women. In ancient Egypt the cat was valued for its ability to eliminate vermin and hence preserve the state granaries intact. By law, cats could not be killed on pain of death...'

Cathy McAnespie fell in love with a mischievous little cartoon dog from the 1920s who is still hugely popular to this day .

'The bulge in the roly-poly face of the little dog looked for all the world as if he was sucking a giant gobstopper. The print of “The Lost Ball” displayed on a stand at an Antiques Fair at the NEC in Birmingham stopped Cathy McAnespie, instructor in horology at the St. Loye’s Foundation, and BBC Radio Devon’s Clock Doctor in her tracks...'

In 1948 Beswick, who were already famous for their animal figures, began production of the highly collectable creations of Beatrix Potter.

'THE BESWICK POTTERIES were founded in 1894, and were very much a family affair. James Beswick started it all, then his two sons John and Gilbert followed him into the business, then, when he was old enough, John’s son, John Ewart joined the family firm. Starting with a wide and varied selection of items, they went from strength to strength...'

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