Carrara ware carries a special backstamp and is a stonewarewith a white matt glaze that imitates a dull marble effect. Early examples can be found featuring fine painting and gilding (ca. 1890’s).

An unusual lidded vase in Carrara.

Carrara ware is rare to find today but there are some impressive advertising pieces including the famous Mark Marshall seahorse or the Leslie Harradine bear that were produced to advertise this ware.

A group of Doulton advertising pieces including the polar bear mentioned and also an unusual scarab.

It was particularly popular in the architectural world in the early 20th Century and several buildings around the world have a Carrara ware façade, including the world famous Savoy Hotel in London.

A salvaged Doulton name plaque from an unknown building.

Bonzo

Of the early sets of Doulton animals the Bonzo character dogs from the 1920’s are some of the hardest to track down. In total there were six early dogs HN808-813 and seemingly very few were made. Created by George Studdy, his mischeaveous dog Bonzo became the star of comic strip, magazines and postcard! Extremely rare examples of Bonzo have been found mounted as finials or on alabaster desk accessories.

Bonzo appears in several colourways including a deep purple glaze, ivory with red or black buttons and a deep blue glaze among others. Due to the miniature size of the piece, he is typically just marked ‘DOULTON’ and occasionally the model number 868 to its base.

Our very special guest and host for our summer Royal Doulton collectors’ event over the weekend of 2-3 June will be Michael Doulton.

Michael will be available on Sunday 3rd to chat to collectors and also sign any purchases. On Saturday 2nd he will host a special preview of the fair for members of the Doulton Collectors Club before we go to a special collectors’ dinner, followed by shopping of course!

Michael Douton is the 6th generation descendant of John Doulton who was the founder of Royal Doulton.

Michael has worked for Royal Doulton for over 40 years traveling around the world as brand Ambassador.

Michael hosts many Figurine and Royal Albert signing events in USA, Canada, Australia and China each year.

Don’t forget to visit us Sunday 3rd June at the World of Wedgwood!

Born in the heart of the Potteries Neil Welch’s talent to sculpt the human form has led to a range of high profile commissions, including Wedgwood’s and Doultons synonymous with their quality ceramics for over 250 years . Neil left school at the age of 16 with A grades in art and gained a two year apprenticeship at the New Victoria theatre as a stage set and props designer, here he discovered a love of sculpture which has never left him. At this time he also began to create his own unique sculptures. Self taught , in 1993 he was approached by Wedgwoods/ Coalport to become (in-house) ,where he stayed for the next seven years before becoming freelance in 2000. As a freelance sculptor Neil gained the total freedom of expression that he craved. 

 Neil has the uncanny ability to combine exquisite design with mood and feeling making his work truly special. Neil now aged 45, is currently showing his beautiful lifelike bronze sculptures in galleries all around the country where his work is becoming highly sought after. He also has 2 very successful figurative ranges of his own which he licenses to the giftware market. 

Come along this Sunday to meet Neil as well as Michael Doulton, our host and 6th generation descendant of Royal Doulton’s founder!

Personal Profile – Chris Jackson 

Born in Stoke on Trent in the Heart of ‘The Potteries’, Chris showed an interest in ceramics from a young age. He graduated art school in 1977 and immediately joined Royal Doulton as a trainee figure painter.

Having quickly mastered the skill of on-glaze painting he went on to train in the complex technique of under-glaze character painting. During the early part of his career, Chris worked on some of Royal Doulton’s most famous designs. Amongst his favourite early figures are Belle O’ the Ball, St George and Embroidering.  

In 2000 Chris became a team leader of the on-glaze figure painting and lithography department, and in 2003 moved to the design department as a decoration designer. As part of his current role, Chris designs the costumes for the ‘Pretty Lady’ and character figures, researching appropriate colours and details for each one. He also carefully hand paints each face with perfect precision ensuring every figure is full of personality, expression and detail.

Chris has travelled throughout the UK meeting collectors and giving painting demonstrations and has visited Japan on several occasions.

 When not designing figures Chris has many other interests from fell walking to refereeing the local county football teams. He is also a musician and plays the drums in a rock band.

Don’t forget, come along this Sunday to meet Chris, as well as Michael Doulton at the World of Wedgwood- details below!

Come along to our Royal Doulton extravaganza on June 11th being held this year at the World of Wedgwood, Barlaston! 

An array of Royal Doulton, Beswick and Moorcroft dealers will be in attendance offering a wide array of products from all eras! There is free entry to the event and a day filled with painting demonstrations by Chris Jackson, modelling by Neil Welch and not forgetting our host for the event Michael Doulton who will be on hand to sign any purchases and talk to collectors. Not forgetting that there will be free entry to the Wedgwood museum on the Sunday too!

In addition there will be a valuation service on site and you an ask the Doulton Collectors Club for any historical support you may need! 

Also worth visiting is an exciting exhibition which will be running for 4 weeks to coincide with the event, telling the story of Royal Doulton over the last 200 years, located in the Wedgwood Museum.

The fair exclusive the Fair Jester will also be available from 10.30 in a strict limited edition of 300 pieces. You can see him peeking out on the cover of the fair programme.

Below is the fair programme to enjoy!

Hello again everyone–We’re very excited about the plans for our 2017 Summer Royal Doulton Fair on Sunday, June 11. As you already know, we’ll have Michael Doulton as our special guest, feature an exclusive fair special figure, and have a full day’s activities for collectors while you enjoy shopping with the UK’s top Royal Doulton dealers. We’re particularly excited to be at the newly refurbished World of Wedgwood in Barlaston this year where we can all enjoy everything they have to offer—their incredible museum, shops and café.Candy and Bill Beal have more exciting news, too, about their “To The Manor Born” UK tour that they’re scheduling around our event. The group will assemble in London on Monday, June 5, depart for the Cotswolds the next day for 3 days of touring and enjoying that unique area and then it’s off to Stoke-on-Trent for 5 full days of visiting stately homes like Chatsworth House and Tudor masterpieces like Little Moreton Hall.  

Best of all for collectors, though, will be the Summer Royal Doulton Fair and everything surrounding it but the group will also enjoy many extras—invitation to a special preview of the Fair the night before, an incredible tour of the Moorcroft factory and museum, a special dinner with Royal Doulton experts, and more to be announced later.  

Several days in the Oxford area will come next with tours at wonderful locations like Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace. The tour will finish on Sunday, June 18.  

Beautiful manor houses such as Barnsley House (above) will be home bases for the group at all three locations. For more information on this all-inclusive “To The Manor Born” tour, including pricing, please contact Candy and Bill at bill@bealhome.com and follow them on Facebook @WhiteNightsNorthernLights for trip updates, photos and more.

I’ll be joining the group for many of the events at Stoke-on-Trent so I’ll be looking forward to seeing you then. Space will be limited at these manor houses so please contact Candy and Bill as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Christopher