Artists, Doulton, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration

Seasonal changes with Doulton figures! 

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Cover of a catalogue featuring Summer Serenade.

One of several classic sets of four seasons figures produced by Royal Doulton is this set made exclusively for the Guild of China and Glass Retailers to which Doulton belonged. 

  

Catalogue page from 1993. 

Three existing models by the legendary Peggy Davies and one model from Peter Gee were given a colourful re-incarnation to become part of this series. 

Thus…

Danielle HN 3001 became Spring Song HN

Beatrice HN 3263 became Summer Serenade HN 3610

Michelle HN 2334 became Autumn Attraction HN 3612

And

Caroline HN 3170 became winter welcome HN 3611.

  
Autumn Attraction and Winter Welcome. 

For collectors it is the Doulton ‘colouring’ of these popular models that set them apart from the originals which were typically very modestly decorated and for me too that makes them instantly more attractive! 

Art nouveau, Artists, C. J. Noke

Noke the artist! 

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Collectors forget that Noke despite his excellent reputation as a modeller was also an accomplished artist. Signed pieces are hard to come by as is highlighted by the fact that each of these bowls – the largest 23cm diameter – was purchased on separate occasions. 

  
I had previously believed that they could have been the work of Noke junior but the largest piece can be dated to 1918, prior to his commencement and training at Doulton. 

Art deco, Artists, Fashion, Figure Articles

Doulton figures- are you seeing dots? 

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Who doesn’t love matching colourways? We’ve looks at matching reds, pinks, blues, greens and even oranges, but here are three other early figures you’ll be dotty about! 

  
Sibell HN 1735.

After writing the Kate Hardcastle piece on Monday I recalled these spotted beauties and lamented how I’d never managed to find all three at the same time! 

  
Kate Hardcastle HN 1734.

Just as other groups, their HN numbers are in the same number range, but this time they are chronological if you take a second look!

  
Camille HN1736.

With such vivid colours and an unmistakable design this group may not be to everyone’s taste but they are super rare! 

Animals, Art deco

Collecting Doulton stamp trays. 

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Character fox HN866.

From time to time one spots familiar items mounted with various Doulton wares and such was the case when I recently saw this Dickens miniature of Tony Weller mounted on a genuine Shagreen base together with a sterling silver stamp holder or stamp moistener (the moistener missing), just like mine with the fox above. 

 
Tony Weller HN544.
Here is a further example mounted with a very rare character Beagle, a very early Doulton animal currently available from Seaway China. 

 
Character Beagle HN831.

 The sterling silver mark on the stamp holder gives us the year 1923 as the year of production. 

Art deco, Artists, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration

Royal Doulton’s Kate Hardcastle – the story of a name. 

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Royal Doulton’s figurine Kate Hardcastle takes her name from the the heroine of the Anglo-Irish playwright Goldsmith’s comedy ‘She Stoops To Conquer’ first performed in the 18th Century.

  
Kate Hardcastle HN1734.

Kate, a spirited young girl pretends to be a barmaid to overcome the shyness of her lover, Charles Marlow, the son of a rich Londoner. Charles’ shyness disappeared around working class girls hence the needed pretence. 

  
Kate Hardcastle HN1861.

Realising what she must do in order for Charles to woo her, Kate pretends to be a barmaid, thus stooping to conquer the young Charles! 

  
Kate Hardcastle HN1719.

Goldsmith’s play has proved perennially popular ever since it was first performed in London in 1773, which explains why in 1935 a figurine was modelled in her contemporary likeness by the great Leslie Harradine. 

  
Kate Hardcastle HN1919.

Doulton’s figure Kate Hardcastle proved popular with 5 colourways produced in the 1930’s and post WWII a slightly simplified model of her in somewhat muted colouring similar to HN1719 was introduced as HN2028. The issue with her has always been the base, which as collectors know is a particularly weak point when they are square or rectangular on these early figures, hence why most figures have round bases. 

Art nouveau, Burslem, Gilded, Harrods

Doulton’s Royal connections! 

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  Collectors are often bemused by early Doulton catalogues which carry the strap line ‘As purchased by HM The Queen’ under their cherished figures.  

  Original catalogue page featuring the design and highlighting the Royal connection.

However this sales technique was also used to advertise tablewares such as this heavily gilded tea set, which was supplied to HM Queen Mary in the early 20th Century.   This particular set for 6 people is a replica of the original and was retailed exclusively through Harrods, the exclusive London Department Store which has many famous links to Doulton including its magnificent Doulton terracotta façade and of course the art nouveau tiles in the food halls by Neatby.

 
Once again the set shows that first sight isn’t always the end to a story with Doulton! 

 

Artists, Ship Figureheads

Collecting Doulton’s Ship Figureheads! 

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Collectors love a theme to follow and here is one that was produced in relatively recent times and that has proved a sound investment too! Ship Figureheads belong to a bygone age of tall ships and battles, and each piece chosen by Doulton to produce in fine china tells a story all of its own.

  
HMS Ajax HN2908.

Introduced between 1980-83, Doulton’s ‘Ship’s Figureheads’ collection marked a new direction led by Eric Griffiths, Royal Doulton’s then Head of Ceramic Sculpture, who commissioned the freelance artist Sharon Keenan to produce these six models based on her own research in museums and dockyards on both sides of the Atlantic. The six limited edition of 950 pieces were Ajax, Benmore, mary Queen of Scots, Hibernia, Chieftan, Lalla Rookh, Pocahontas and Nelson. Each model came in a presentation box with plinth and certificate.  
HMS Benmore HN2909.

Art deco, Hunting John Peel, Seriesware

Collecting Doulton’s ‘Hunting – John Peel’ seriesware pattern.

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This series together with Coaching Days and Royal Mail are easily mistaken for one another on first glance given their similar palette. There were a handful of other patterns  to Hunting – John Peel all celebrating this once popular pastime, now out of favour. 

  
There are 9 recorded patterns dating from 1924 to an unknown withdrawal date. Some are often found in combination as you can see above and below with scenes 2 & 3. 

  
Interestingly the later designs bear an H number (1947) rather than the traditional D numbers associated with seriesware or the very early patterns that have the earlier E numbers if they were on china.

  
The great thing about seriesware is that the possibilities for making a collection are plentiful! Naturally you can collect one particular pattern, or miniatures, or particular shapes or like me pin dishes and ash trays like the one above! 

Art deco, Artists, Coaching days, Coaching scenes, Displays, Doulton, Seriesware

Collecting Doulton’s Coaching Days seriesware pattern.

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One of Doulton’s most popular seriesware lines remains their Coaching Days series. Introduced in 1905 and finally withdrawn in 1955, examples from this series can be found but earlier shapes and ceramic bodies make certain pieces more sought after! 

  
Earthenware was the typical body but examples can be found on a china body. The series was originally designed by Victor Venner between c.1904-1924, with unknown others contributing designs too. 

  
With 20 recorded scenes and a multitude of shapes that the series can be found on, this series provides much scope for collectors to assemble an impressive display. Above is a pin tray from my own collection. 

Unusual scenes do turn up such as the one on the small pie crust dish. Labelled as E3804, it is an unusual find and on china too, hence the E number.  

 

Examples of Coaching Days are easily confused with both ‘Royal Mail’ and ‘Hunting John Peel’ scenes and do display well together! 

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