Pair of Staffordshire Dogs (Red)

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A very charming pair of paintings depicting the iconic Staffordshire spaniel dogs, long celebrated in British folk art and ceramics, painted in a naïve style in oil onto panel by British artist Matt Rix.

The two dogs are painted in a deliberately naïve, decorative style that recalls the 19th-century porcelain mantelpiece figures they are inspired by.

Each dog sits upright against a muted pinkish-red background, with a simple brown ground anchoring them in place. Their white coats are adorned with large chestnut-brown patches—rendered in stylised, almost floral shapes—that add rhythm and balance to the composition. Both dogs wear gilt collars with chain details, a hallmark of traditional Staffordshire imagery. Their soulful yellow eyes, drooping ears, and small red mouths give them an expressive, slightly whimsical quality, striking a balance between charm and solemnity.

Presented as a pair, the paintings echo one another but are not identical—one dog faces left, the other right—making them natural companions, just as Staffordshire figurines were traditionally displayed in pairs.

The appeal lies in their folk-art simplicity and decorative strength: bold flat shapes, warm earthy tones, and a sense of nostalgia that makes them feel timeless yet playful. They would add both character and heritage charm to any wall, bridging the line between painting and folk tradition.

Each of these oils on board are housed in chestnut brown painted wood frames with subtle gilt detailing. Both paintings are in excellent condition. The frames have some very minor scuffs but this is in keeping with their vintage style.

British artist Matt Rix spent his childhood in South Africa and now lives with his family on a small holding in rural North Wales. His paintings are uncomplicated, modernist representations influenced by primitive and naïve folk art from times past. Many of the subjects Rix paints are inspired by the animals he sees from day to day. Rix uses recycled materials including discarded paints, boards, frames and backing paper. Much of his work is therefore produced using waste materials resulting in sustainable paintings that evoke a time-worn, nostalgic essence.

To view the other paintings in this collection, click here.

Size: 47.5 x 37cm each (including frame)

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