- Medium
- porcelain
- Measurements
- 16.4 × 9.4 cm diameter
- Place/s of Execution
- Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
- Inscription
- impressed (diagonally) in base u.l.: P
impressed in base u.l.: M
impressed (inverted) (diagonally) in base c.l.: (upside down V with semicircle through apex)
impressed (inverted) in base c.: MINTON - Accession Number
- 2001.317
- Department
- International Decorative Arts
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Dr Robert Wilson Collection. Presented through the NGV Foundation by Dr Robert Wilson, Honorary Life Benefactor, 2001
© Public Domain
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited - Gallery location
- Gallery 18
Level 3, NGV Australia - About this work
-
The spiritual relationship that can be forged between dog and owner is captured in the design of this match pot. One side depicts a dog sitting in a kennel and reads ‘Our dog Tray in the flesh’, while the other shows the dog with a crown and wings ascending to heaven and reads ‘Our dog Tray in the spirit’. Christopher Dresser’s unique interpretation of the dog makes witty reference to Stephen Foster’s song of 1853 ‘Old Dog Tray’. The work also reflects contemporary Victorian spiritualist beliefs, which differed from the Chistian belief that animals don’t possess souls. This heartfelt tribute to a lost loved one demonstrates the devotional connection that can be forged between humans and dogs, as well as the everlasting impact of human-canine kinship.
