The Palio HN 2428 modelled by Peggy Davies introduced in 1971. 

The Palio held in Sienna, Italy in June and August each year is one of the country’s most exhilarating festivals. The festival includes a flag procession, mounted warriors representing the colourful life of the ancient republic of Sienna and of course the famous horse race around the Campo, the winner of which is awarded the Palio. 

Our figure here is the result of former art director at Burslem, Jo Ledger’s desire to create a suitable tribute to Italy. Originally seen as a successor to Matador and Bull and Indian Brave, Peggy Davies was called upon to convey the spirit of the festival into pottery.

The Palio is portrayed with a gold emblazoned chest plate, carrying his mace, he is the commander riding through the Sienna streets in the opening parade by the clans.

This prestige figure is painted in fine matte finish requiring as many as ten firings to perfect the paint colour choices. Each piece is numbered as he was a limited edition of 500, however, far fewer were ever produced. 

The artist modeller Peggy Davies will be familiar to almost all Royal Doulton  figure collectors.

For some 40 years Peggy worked for Royal Doulton on a freelance basis sending in her creations for approval. Then in 1984 she severed her links with Doulton and set about projects she had long wanted to do including setting up one of her sons in the pottery business. This last project allowed her the independence from commercial production that she often longed for and she provided many studies for reproduction before her untimely death in 1989.

This lot is coming up at Lion and Unicorn Auctions 29th March 2026.