Beswick | Dalmatian ‘Ch. Arnoldene’ | Model No. 961 | Gloss Ceramic Figurine | England, 1941–1994

A breed long associated with motion — running alongside carriages, keeping pace with horses — here held in stillness, poised as if before a judge, each marking considered and deliberate.

Beswick’s animal figures remain among the most enduring achievements of twentieth-century English ceramics. Established in Longton, Staffordshire in 1894, the factory developed a reputation for naturalistic modelling of remarkable clarity, with its canine studies forming a particularly dedicated area of collecting.

The Dalmatian ‘Arnoldene’ (model no. 961), designed by Arthur Gredington, was introduced in 1941 and based on a recognised show champion of the same name. It remained in production until 1994, spanning over five decades of continuous manufacture. The present example appears in the standard gloss finish.

The figure stands with head turned slightly to the right and tail held upright, the stance alert but composed. Black spotting is distributed across the body with variation in scale and density, while the ears carry heavier markings. The musculature of the chest and hindquarters is cleanly articulated, giving the piece a sense of structure beneath the glaze. The finish is high gloss throughout.

The Beswick England backstamp is present to the underside of the left front foot, with ‘Arnoldene’ impressed to the underbelly.

Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The surface remains bright and intact. A discreet levelling application has been added beneath the paws to ensure the figure sits evenly when displayed.

Collector Appeal

• A long-running Beswick model with strong recognition among collectors
• Designed by Arthur Gredington, the leading animal modeller of the factory
• Based on a documented show champion, adding to its authenticity
• Classic gloss finish — the most widely collected variant
• Well-proportioned example with clean spotting and strong stance

Details

• Maker: Beswick, England
• Model: Dalmatian ‘Ch. Arnoldene’, No. 961
• Designer: Arthur Gredington
• Finish: Gloss
• Issued: 1941 — withdrawn 1994
• Height: 14.2 cm
• Length: 20.5 cm
• Weight: 222 g
• Marks: Beswick England backstamp; ‘Arnoldene’ impressed

Gredington’s work was never purely decorative — it served as a record of how these animals were seen, bred, and valued in the period that produced them.