1989 Glazed Redware Figurine Dog Laying Down Stick in Mouth Breininger Pottery
Description: This is a 1989 redware figurine glazed with incised details throughout. The piece is in the shape of a dog laying down and holding a brown stick in his mouth. The dog is yellow with brown and green highlights. The dog has a long tail and floppy ears. The Dog's body is yellow with brown incised lines to simulate fur and has brown and green mottling. The green highlights are indicative of copper oxide. The coloring of the piece is very much in line with the Pennsylvania Dutch coloring tradition of folk art redware. This is typical of toys used by children in days gone by (1700s and 1800s) in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The figurine is of a nice size measuring ~4 5/8" long, ~2 1/4" at its widest, ~2 1/2" high to the top of the dog's head, and weighs about 9.5 ounces. This beautiful glazed redware figurine was made at the Breininger pottery. This beautiful piece was made as toy or a decorative accent. Please see photo to appreciate the beautiful design and colors. The bottom of the piece is marked as to the maker and the date the piece was made. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1989.
Origin: Robesonia, Berks County Pennsylvania.
Size: The piece measures ~4 5/8" long, ~2 1/4" at its widest, ~2 1/2" high to the top of the dog's head, and weighs about 9.5 ounces.
Maker: Lester Breininger
Marks: Marked "Breininger Pottery, 1989" incised on the bottom of the base.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a very nice Breininger piece with a typical Pennsylvania Dutch shape and look made at the studios of a master potter with the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Needless to say, Mr. Breininger has passed away in December 2011 and pottery made in his studio has become highly desirable.
Condition: The figurine is in very good condition with no cracks, no repairs, or hairlines. The piece has general crazing to the glaze, which is a bit hard to see but is there. The piece has two spots where the coloring and glaze is lost and it is not clear whether or not these are original to the making or damage to the piece. There is a spot on the bottom of the dog's right ear where the glazed flaked off and there is a spot on the dog's back where the glaze has flaked off. These are very difficult to see but can be felt. Be that as it may this is a great looking piece and is worthy of a spot in your collection. The piece also has some of the normal defects you would expect in a piece of primitive pottery of this type such as spots where the glaze did not fully flow, pops, slubs, and surface roughness. This particular piece has a minimum of such issues. A solid and intact piece which would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
