All posts by doultonchristopher1

Collecting Doulton Pansies!

January 22, 2015 doultonchristopher1 2 Comments

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Introduced in 1917, the pattern was withdrawn by 1930.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!

Advertising, Art deco, Art nouveau, Artists, Barlow, Bunnykins, Burslem, C. J. Noke, Charles Dickens, Colourways, Commemoratives, Derivatives, Displays, Doulton, Doulton animals, Factory, Faience, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Foxes, Handpainted

The International Ceramics and Glass Fair and 200 Years of Royal Doulton – an event not to be missed!

January 21, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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/

Artists, Figure Articles, Peggy Davies, Prototype

An early prototype by Peggy Davies!

January 19, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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.

Art deco, Artists, Figure Articles, Leslie Harradine

Collecting Doulton figures – the best things come in 3’s!

January 17, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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!

Artists, Figure Articles, Leslie Harradine

Harradine’s delightful Diana!

January 15, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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!

Chivalry, Seriesware

A look back at Doulton’s ‘Chivalry’ seriesware pattern.

January 14, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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’.

Artists, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Leslie Harradine

The making of Lady Charmian (from 1947).

January 9, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

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.

Art deco, Figure Articles

A closer look at Doulton’s The Court Shoemaker.

January 7, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

The Court Shoemaker HN1755.

Introduced in 1936, the Court Shoemaker is a typical example of a 1930’s Doulton figure in that the detail in the figure is superb. It is also an example of a double figure popular during this decade. This piece was almost double the price of a standard figure from this period and given the relative scarcity, few can have been made.

An early version of the figure group from 1936.

Given this relative scarcity it is always exciting to find slight variations. Directly above is a version I have which must be an example from the original mould due to the impressed date. I am sure you have noticed the absence of the brown base in later models. Clearly the original was just too fragile around the base area without the added base.

Another sighting from a few years ago was this colourway below, from Seaway China, again with no base telling us it was a pre-production trial.

Perhaps you have a further variation of this rare figure? If so why not share a photograph on our Facebook page ‘ Doutlon Collectors Club’!

Art deco, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration

What is in a name? How are Doulton figures named?

January 4, 2015 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

When researching the book Reflections with Jocelyn it was an interesting side line to investigate how some of the more unusually named figures arrived with their names.
One particularly unusual lady is Frangçon HN1720 and 1721. Both versions were introduced in 1935, but rarely appear suggesting a much shorter production run to the withdrawal date of ‘by 1949’ suggested in Royal Doulton Figures. In my experience a withdrawal date of 1943 would be more accurate for most figures save for a handful of the most popular figures that were available to the US as late as 1944 and production of these resumed soon after the war ended. These include Autumn Breezes, the Orange Lady, Biddy Penny Farthing, Old a Balloon Seller and a few others.

Frangçon HN1721 and 1720.

Returning to the name Frangçon it is certainly named after the once famous theatre actress. Born in 1891, her first performance was in 1911 and she retired only in 1970 after an illustrious career being encouraged by Ellen Terry and supported by Sir a John Gielgud.

Art deco, Colourways, Figure Articles

A rare colourway of Doulton’s Little Bridesmaid HN1530.

December 29, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

I thought I would share this picture of the three versions of The Little Bridesmaid as the final colourway HN1530 was not available for the last edition of Royal Doulton Figures in 1994. As is typically the case if you wait – sometimes for countless years – that one piece may turn up.

This popular figure remained in production as HN1433 until 1951 and keen eyes can easily distinguish earlier and later versions based on the depth of colour, the backstamp and face.

The elusive HN1530 belongs to a small group of figures with early HN1500 numbers including Pantalettes and Priscilla who were issued once again in complimentary orange colourways just like this Little Bridesmaid.

The yellow HN1434 is the earliest example in the picture above and you can hopefully see how the angle of her head differs to the other two. Alas her head is often prone to being knocked off! Making these three perfect examples all the more unusual!

A place to share enthusiasm for all things Royal Doulton! All original content ©Christopher Evans 2014 unless otherwise credited. No unauthorised reproduction permitted.

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