Rarely does such an impressive grouping of early Royal Doulton figures come onto the market, but Adam Partridge Auctioneers have certainly pulled it out the bag this week!
Here is the super rare HN 445 Guy Fawkes not previously illustrated. He is model 226 originally introduced in 1918 as HN 98 in the typical red cloak, this slightly later version from 1921 features a lustrous green cloak and fabulous all round painting!
Famed as we Brits know is famed for his plot to blow up Parliament on Nov 5th 1605.
This large size Harry Tittensor model was produced in three colourways; this being the last introduced in 1921 and available to order until the 1930s, although no other examples in green have turned up. He was later produced in miniature HN 3271 remodelled by Peter Gee in 1989.
What a collection of Doulton Adam Partridge Auctioneers have coming up this week!
Included in their choice gathering of rare figures is this fabulous example of Charles J. Noke’s Shylock, that most famous of characters from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. in Shakespeare’s play he is outwitted by Portia in his claim for his ‘pound of flesh’. Interestingly the role was played by two theatre greats who inspired Noke and other modellers to create some of the most recognisable Doulton figures produced – Sir Henry Irving and Herbert Beerbohm.
Noke had previously modelled a similar but monumental version of Shylock as part of the Vellum figures range in the late 19th century. this HN example is 19cm.
Returning to our example in hand – you can see that the piece is marked underneath Titanian and that is because this body was used in a selection of early figures from Spook HN50 through to A Mandarin HN382. There is no particular rhyme as to why a Titanian body was used other than the suggestion that the decorating technique may produce a richer result. A further example HN 317 has been discovered and even a completely lustred one.
This wonderful example at Partridges fits the description of HN 79 with his yellow sleeves and multicoloured cloak. He was produced from 1917 until his mild was destroyed in the 1930s, although he cannot have been a popular figure at the time due to his complete scarcity today.
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 flambé glaze. I am sure you will agree that early examples like the one illustrated 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, as well as animals, in particular elephants, a favourite of Charles Noke.
Rare Sung vase featuring a bird of paradise and snake in combat!
This wonderful example of an Art Union piece is coming up later Lion and Unicorn Auctions this month.
Art Union of London
The presence of ‘Art Union of London’ on Doulton ware, indicates that it was produced in a series and specially selected for members of the Art Union, whose subscription brought them access to important art wares from many sources including Doulton. Both Lambeth and Burslem produced wares for the Art Union, although examples of Burslem pieces are much harder to find. Doulton began supplying items in 1885 through to the early 1900’s (approx. 1902) and typically their most celebrated artists such as Mark Marshall and Eliza Simmance provided the original designs. Despite these items not being one off pieces, prices for these marked ‘Art Union of London’ are in line with one off pieces by these major artists.
Inspired by Lion and Unicorn’s latest offerings coming up June 23rd 2024, here is a look into the artist behind the piece!
The name Harry Allen will be familiar to many Doulton collectors because of his association with so many of Doulton’s most famous lines from Flambe, Sung, Titanian, figures and of course to the fantastic hand painted items by this great Doulton artist.
The son of Robert Allen who himself led an art studio at Doulton in Burslem, Harry proved himself a versatile artist but he will be forever associated with his enchanting desert scene images carefully painted onto all manner of items from jugs to plates and everything in between!
When it comes to Titanian, few items can be a sought after as a peacock vase! Not only magnificent in size but the detail in painting is exceptional!
Robert Allen began work at Nile St. when it was still owned by Pinder Bourne, after a brief period at Minton’s as a boy worker. Robert flourished under the guidance of John Slater, then art director, eventually taking over a painting department of his own. Work from his department is denoted by his initials R.A. followed by a number. Robert Allen’s own signed work is however, rare. Yet, he and his department were entrusted with much of the finest and most expensive decoration carried out at Burslem notably for the great exhibitions at which Doulton exhibited from the late 19thcentury. Robert was notably involved in the early development of Titanian ware.
Robert Allen in his studio c1910
The versatility of the RA studio meant that artists there worked on all manner of Doulton wares from early Vellum figures, to tablewares, to exhibition wares and even glaze wares.
Among the earliest of figures produced as part of the HN series sits Soooks HN 88. Not only do they represent the whimsical but also the often dark humour of the time.
Noke’s Spooks were made as a companion figure to Harry Tittensor’s A Spook HN 50 introduced in 1916. Whilst there were several colourways of the latter, only three official versions of Spooks were produced. Both models were withdrawn by 1936, although in reality any that were made later in this timeframe were likely to be one off special orders, as with all the early figures.
Returning to our star piece today, the colours are typical of other figures in the HN range from the 1920s where multiple firings achieved wonderful effects. The greens, purples, blues and reds are all reminiscent of Harradine’s deco beauties.
The example illustrated is coming up at Lion and Unicorn auctions and the model is clearly dated 1924 with a model number 211.
Joining us this Sunday at our event at the World of Wedgwood is Michael Doulton, who is the fifth-generation descendant of John Doulton, who founded the Royal Doulton company in 1815. He is often a guest at our special events and is always willing to share his vast knowledge on all things Royal Doulton as well as answering collectors’ questions!
French Chest with a Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, Moreton-in-Marsh. 2nd July 2021
An item of antique furniture by one of the leading cabinet makers of 18th Century France is coming up for auction on 10th July. The chest of drawers, or to use the correct term ‘commode’ was made during the third quarter of the 18th Century by German born master cabinet maker (ebeniste) Jean Francois-Oeben. Oeben is credited with pioneering the ‘commode a la greque’ in question. As the name suggests the cabinet takes its inspiration from ancient Greece and comprises a breakfront white veined marble top over a mahogany base with triple frieze drawers above two long drawers all with internal bright cut engraved gilt locks and standing on elegant cabriole. Ormolu mounts and handles adorn the exterior. J. F. Oeben’s stamp appears on the upper part of the carcass. This distinctive form of commode was almost exclusively supplied by les freres Oeben to two clients, the duc de Choiseul and Madame de Pompadour, the latter being Oeben’s most important client. In an inventory drawn up following her death in 1764, no less than seventeen commodes a la greque, all supplied by Oeben between 1761-1763 for the Chateaux de Versailles, Auvilliers and Menars. The importance of Madame de Pompadour’s patronage in the creation of this form of furniture is furthermore underlined by the inventory taken following Oeben’s own demise in 1763. Consigned by a Yorkshire based private client who acquired the piece in the 1980’s, it carries a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-30,000 in Cotswold auctioneers Kinghams on 10th July. For further information, please contact Adian Rathbone at Kinghams Auctioneers of 01608 695695 or email adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com
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.
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 as well as animals, in particular elephants, a favourite of Charles Noke.
Friday & Saturday 11th – 12th June Day One lots 1-274; Day Two lots 275-468. Auction begins 11am
Viewing Dates and Times (by appointment): Wednesday 9th May 10.00 – 17.00 Thursday 10th May 10.00 – 19.00 Friday 11th May 09.00 – 11.00
If you would like to bid you can leave commission bids, book a telephone line, or access the auction via one of five online bidding platforms below. Room bidding will also be available subject to registration. Detailed condition reports are available on request.
We provide a worldwide shipping service, if you have any questions or need to speak to a member of staff please call +44(0)1608 695695 or email enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com. We are open for collection by appointment from Monday 17th May at 10-12 Cotswold Business Village, London Road, Morton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ.
