A while back I wrote this piece for Seaway China and there was a great response to these very rare Vellum figures.
I’ve just been given a sneak peek at this highly decorated version of the Moorish Minstrel that is coming up for auction in April with the Potteries Special Auctions. I don’t recall seeing such a highly decorated example and I’m sure that it will create quite a buzz when it comes up!
Crested ware 1905-1914
Doulton is not usually associated with manufacturing crested ware where names such as Arcadian and Goss are familiar, and examples are not easy to find owing to its short production run at the start of the 20th Century. The majority of pieces were made for the Australian market but examples of British towns and cities exist too. Here are two unusual British examples!
Perhaps you have other examples? If so, why not share them on our Facebook page – Doulton Collectors Group!
Another collecting them for Doulton figures is the band of figures in elaborate, powdered wigs.
With Doulton’s re-newed association with the modeller Leslie Harradine (who was originally apprenticed to Doulton in Lambeth) from 1920, came the commercial success Doulton had sought for the previous decade. Harradine’s versatile style meant that every possible type of china figure was created – from miniature Dickens characters, to deco beauties, to the archetypal Victorian lady, to child studies – to name but a few themes.
However, during the roaring 1920’s with its synonymous flapper girls there was also a vogue for fancy dress balls, which explains why there are so many of these romantic figures wearing 17th and 18th Century costumes in the HN collection, during the 1920’s and 30’s.
These charming figures sit equally well with their contemporaries as they do with other Doulton figures from the deco period!
Perhaps you display your figures according to themes? If so, join our Facebook page ‘Doulton Collectors Club’ to share them with other collectors around the world!
Doulton’s Pansies seriesware pattern remains as popular as ever with prices for unusual items always in three figures!
Pansies sandwich set.
Introduced in 1917, the pattern was withdrawn by 1930. There are two listed ‘D’ numbers for this pattern D4049 and D4264. Items found in this pattern generally revolve around teawares such as plates, jugs, cups and saucers. More unusual items include toilet sets.
1920’s catalogue page of teapots featuring Pansies D4049 on the Octagon shape.
There are some fantastic collections of this pattern around and it makes a bright, colourful display!
Don’t forget the world’s major Doulton extravaganza is just around the corner!
To reserve your tickets visit icgfair.com
And follow this link-
https://www.facebook.com/events/489880474484013/
I am always amazed at how these prototypes turn up…you don’t see any for an eternity and then two or three turn up!
This charming young girl is ‘hoop rolling’ and is decorated much in the same palette as Noelle HN2179 also by Peggy. She has an HN number already written on her base suggesting that her introduction was imminent but obviously Doulton decided against her introduction at the last minute. She dates to ca.1958 and this HN number was not used until 1979 for Sunday Best. This young girl will be coming up at the Potteries Antique Auctions.
Harradine’s Veronica in all 3 sizes and identical colourways as HN1517, HN1915 and M64.
With Leslie Harradine’s models for the HN Collection, Doulton certainly hit the jackpot! His ‘large’ size figures proved so popular that many were re-modelled for the M Collection when it was introduced in 1932, with further additions to it based on larger figures throughout the 1930’s. Then in the late 1930’s mid size versions of three popular figures were introduced, namely Veronica, the Paisley Shawl and Janet.
The Paisley Shawl in 3 available sizes HN1707, HN1914 and M3.
Unlike Veronica above, the other two Harradine figures modelled in 3 sizes were not produced in complimentary colourways. The most that can be said is that both the Paisley Shawl HN1392 and HN1988, together with both Janet’s HN1537 and HN1964 are identical in both sizes, but not in the third.
Janet in 3 sizes and all different colourways HN1538, HN1916 and M69.
All three figures were produced in many colourways, yet only the three Veronicas can be said to ‘match’. Whether one displays these figures together as a group together or separately, each is regarded as a classic Harradine model today!
This the first version of Diana is typical of a handful of pre-war figures that were issued again after the war. The special point about Diana is that she was issued in a totally different colourway, unlike others such as Peggy HN1941/2038 or Jean.
Three versions of Diana HN1716, 1717 and 1986.
This model was in production from 1935 to 1975, proving as if it were needed, the popular appeal of Harradine’s figures. The two earlier versions were withdrawn from production by 1944 and the last version HN1986 was introduced with the updated range of figures once production of Doulton’s famous figures re-commenced in 1946 and remained in production until 1975.
As you can see from the pictures above the only real change between the earlier and later versions, is the position of Diana’s feet, giving her a totally different direction to face!
With six recorded scenes, one would expect to find more examples of this decorative pattern.
In reality production must have been short, which is a real pity as a few examples provide an excellent backdrop to a display of figures. Reputedly designed by Walter Nunn, this design is particularly strong.
Fortunately for collectors, this design carries a special backstamp to help with identification (as above). It can carry one of two ‘D’ numbers – 5030 or 5158. Rack plates, vases, jugs and square tea plates appear to be the most typical items found and I did see a gadrooned serving dish once too.
Perhaps you collect this series? If so why not share it on our Facebook page ‘Doulton Collectors Club’.
Here are some publicity shots from the late 1940’s explaining the production process for this popular lady.
1. Pouring the liquid clay into the moulds to form the cast models.
2. Picture of the moulds for her component parts.
3. Close up of a moulded face and head.
4. Once the figure is assembled any additions are added; in this case hand modelled flowers.
5. At this point the figure is allowed to dry, then it is fired turning it into biscuit china. The size of the figure reduces dramatically at this stage. The figure is then dipped by hand into a specially prepared glaze.
6. The figure is then placed in a fire-proof saggar to be fired.
7. From this stage the figure is decorated by hand.
We are no doubt all familiar with the finished product as she has always been popular with collectors.
Interestingly Harradine based his model on a painting by Stanislaus Longley and I have seen an early version of the figure without the basket and instead of holding a rose she is holding a ball of mistletoe.
doultoncollectorsclub 