Loving Companions, Huge Bright White 19th C. Staffordshire Transferware Loving Cup games and a little research leads

and a little research leads me to the believe with quite a bit of confidence that the H

There is some glare captured in photos

Below the top eye holes are a second pair of cutouts backed by hide pockets

I've looked at enough of these carved Inuit figures to feel pretty confident that he dates to the late 19th century or so

(If I were keeping this

Loving Companions, Huge Bright White 19th C. Staffordshire Transferware Loving Cup games and a little research leadsSome things photograph well and some things are vastly reduced in translation a good part of the beauty of this c. 1830s Staffordshire "loving cup" is its grand scale, more the size of a trophy than a mug and indeed loving cups (two handled, typically oversized vessels) were are often awarded to victors of competitions (well suited for lifting overhead!). I of course am partial to the "loving" aspect a cup to be shared by two, taking turns, one handle