Dove Cottage was only the second piece David ever sculpted, after Mill House. The style is in deliberate contrast -- tile instead of thatched and with brickwork rather than wattle and daub. The piece takes its name from the dovecotes built into one of the roof gables and collectors will notice that more of them are blocked off on some models than others due to technical difficulties during the three years that the piece was made.
   Although the name 'Dove Cottage' implies a rather romantic theme, the intention was to reflect a very practical country dwelling, with its barrel to collect rain water and storage space for logs. Even the dovecote has its functional side; in deeply rural parts, it would provide a convenient source of fresh meat.
   Because it is such an early piece, models of Dove Cottage vary sligtly due to distortion of the production moulds. Also the chimney -- a prominent feature for those days -- didn't always turn out perfectly from the mould and was fettled into shape, thus creating some variety.