Doulton’s first vellum figures were very much in the style of the figure studies produced at Worcester where Noke had been apprenticed. Prior to moving to Doulton, Noke had worked at the Worcester factory from his early teens and had studied alongside Worcester’s great modeller James Hadley, who had a great influence on Noke for the rest of his career. 

During the early 1890s Noke produced his prestigious Columbus, Dante, Love and the magnificent Diana vase all in the vellum medium, together with a small group of new Vellum figures, were exhibited at the Chicago Exhibition of 1893 – all greatly enhancing the company’s reputation on the world stage. 

Typically, Noke drew much inspiration from the theatre, so it’s no surprise to see so many theatrical subjects featured in the vellum figures range. The matte ivory parchment like glaze inspired the name. Doulton’s figures can be found with muted decoration in pinks, greens and oranges and sometimes with gilt highlights. Still rarer examples have appeared with bold colourings. Whilst Henry Irving as Cardinal Woolsey and Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine were clearly the most popular, there are rare one off colourways to be found as well!

Here is one of the largest of the Vellum figures introduced range usually called Feeding Time or  St Mark’s. Measuring 17” she truly is eye catching and of course you can also see the Noke signature impressed around the base of the model. 

My thanks as always to Lion and Unicorn Auctions for use of their images!