When it comes to Royal Doulton I always say expect the unexpected. Over the last few years several of these finials have appeared on the market.

My first memory of these most unusual items I recall – a Dragon with wings open – in the hallway for many years peering out from under a table.

These remarkable works of art are so
not just due to their size but also what they represent.

Although Doulton had long working relations with many well-known sculptors including Richard Garbe and Frederick Roth, it is the partnership with Gilbert Bayes that would prove the most fruitful and longlasting. Indeed it was the untimely death of Bayes in 1953 that ended their nearly 30 year partnership.

Readers will be familiar with the Bayes plaque ‘Pottery through the Ages’ which once adorned the façade of the former Doulton House on the banks of the Thames and which now resides
in the V&A in Kensington.

During the 1930’s, Gilbert Bayes worked on a community art project for the St. Pancras Housing Association Improvement Society as part of a slum clearance scheme at Sidney Street in Somerstown, north of Euston station, and at other sites across London. The aim was the provision of high-quality homes for the poorest tenants. The society’s architect was Ian B. M. Hamilton, and he designed all the new flats to stand on the cleared land. Since Bayes believed that art should be available to all people, this commission was very close to his heart. He produced relief model lunettes of fairy tale characters, as well as ceramic sculptures and post finials for the washing line
posts. The finials were inspired by animals and plants, nursery rhymes, Christmas cards, or the lives of the saints.

All the post finials and relief panels were made by Royal Doulton between 1931 and 1938 and as well as at Somerstown the Society commissioned these embellishments by Bayes at their other London projects. Bayes’ duck finials for example were used at the Athlone Estate (1933-7) in Kentish Town and the dragons, rose and thistle finials were made for the York Rise Estate (1937-8) near Highgate
Hill. All the original post finials from the project have now been removed, although some original relief plaques and ornaments remain at Sidney Street, which collectors can visit.

With special thanks to Louise Irvine, Lyon & Turnbull and Lion & Unicorn Auctioneers for images and reference materials.