In Burslem, where figure production had been revived, Doulton’s Art Director, C. J. Noke was simultaneously keen to establish and indeed re-discover many of the ancient Chinese transmutation glazes of yesteryear. He had already re-discovered, introduced to the public in 1904 at the St. Louis Exhibition and by the 1920’s firmly established the world famous Doulton Flambé glazes but Noke together with his team of assistants continued experimenting with glazes and bodies so that today we have other glaze wares including Chang, Chinese Jade and of course Titanian to collect. 

The unique Titanian glaze uses a titanium oxide which results in a bluey colour and pieces of Titanian ware can vary from white to dark blue glazes. It was often used as the background to Doulton’s fine porcelain wares that were painted with typically birds but also oriental figures and flowers by leading artists including Harry Allen, F. Henri and Harry Tittensor. 

Doulton’s seriesware was also in some instances given a Titanian glaze including the Sunset with Poplars range and of course the Tutankhamen set commemorating the opening of the Egyptian King’s tomb in the early 1920’s. 

Figures too were given the Titanian treatment and three of the rarest figures today are commonly found in Titanian when they occasionally do turn up, namely the Australian and New Zealand Digger figures and their British counterpart Blighty – all issued at the end of the first world war. Interestingly a closer examination of the Doukton figure painting books, illustrates that several early figures were produced in a Titanian body, to enhance their decoration, no doubt!

The body of Titanian pieces can vary immensely from an egg-shell like porcelain to a heavy earthenware. This diversity in body is reflected in the price range for these wares, but this in turn allows varied scope for collectors today.

Thanks to Lion and Unicorn auctions for use of their images.

Most collectors today are familiar with the name Noke, although perhaps not so familiar with the personalities behind the name. The signature Noke appears on many flambé, Sung and other Burslem art wares from the early to mid 20th Century and was used in fact by both father and son, the latter would replace his father as Art Director at Burslem in the 1930’s.

The late Peggy Davies told us that “old man Noke” was considered a rather tyrannical figure within the Doulton factory. A man of high standards and principles; someone who had the vision to make the Burslem‘venture’ a success for the Doulton company. Under his directorship many of the most popular lines with collectors today were introduced – figures, character jugs, animal studies, serieswares, art wares…the list could go on! 

Charles Noke continued to experiment with glazes long after the departure of Cuthbert Bailey with whom he had perfected the Flambé glaze in the early 1900’s. And so in 1920 Sung was introduced, whereby painted decoration, colour and gilt are fused with the a flambé glaze. I am sure you will agree that from this photograph the pieces are magnificent. However, it is in the flesh that these pieces must be enjoyed to full effect as in this slide. Vases, large and small were decorated with exotic birds, pixies in woodlands, fish in seascapes along with many other subjects. These pieces were painted principally by Harry Nixon, Arthur Eaton and Fred Moore.

Sung glazes can be found on Buddhas, as seen here in this advert from the 1920’s, a handful of suitable early figures from the HN range such as A Spook HN?, as well as animals, in particular elephants, a favourite of Charles Noke.

My thanks to Lion and Unicorn auctions for use of this image. This spectacular bowl is up for auction Sunday 17th May 2026.