Today's Object of the Week is a familiar pair of pottery figures given a contemporary twist. You probably know what Wally dogs are - you may even have a pair in your own home. Staffordshire dog figurines, often showcased on mantelpieces in Victorian times, gained their colloquial Scottish name 'Wally dugs', due to their mass manufacturing in places like Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Primarily made in Staffordshire pottery, they were also created in other English counties and Scotland. Known as hearth spaniels or fireplace dogs, these spaniel figurines reportedly owed their popularity to the royals' fondness for the King Charles Spaniel. Their popularity peaked around the late 19th century and today these Staffordshire dogs are considered valuable collector's items.
The original Wally dogs from Compton Verney, which were used as Ingrid's inspiration (Image: SUNDERLAND CULTURE) These particular Wally dogs have been reinterpreted for an exhibition of People’s Art now open at National Glass Centre in Sunderland later this month. The exhibition, which runs until Sunday, December 1, celebrates art created by unnamed artists for use in everyday life. Objects referred to as Popular Art or Folk Art existed outside art galleries: in homes and workplaces, often serving a purpose first and were beautiful in addition to being functional.
For the exhibition, National Glass Centre has commissioned five contemporary artists to respond to selected objects from the Compton Verney Art Gallery and Pa.