Here we have a figural spaniel that served a practical purpose.  From the mid to late 1800s when women dressed up they would wear a hat (or bonnet) and used a hat pin to hold it in place.  This standing dog holding a basket in its mouth is a classic form from the 1800s.  The top of the dog’s head and backside is perforated with holes to hold hat pins when not in use.  The spaniel stands on a raised base that is hollow on the underside.  The potter did an excellent job of modeling this dog including the detail in the eyes and eyelids.  Measuring 4 ½” tall by 4 ¾” in length, the dog is in original mint condition with no damage or repairs.  This is only one of two animal hat pin holders I’ve ever seen, with the other being the lion I have listed.  This is a very rare form not appearing in any of the books on collecting yellow ware.