Art deco, Art nouveau

Doulton’s fluttering butterflies.

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The Camberwell Beauty tile panel.

Since Victorian times butterflies have been a popular collecting field; from actual examples, to jewellery, to pottery – examples can be readily found.
As a follower of fashion it is no surprise to find many examples of butterflies throughout Doulton’s many ranges. Some of the earliest can be found on their Faience ware produced at Lambeth and this body and style of decoration perfectly suits the beauty of these fragile creatures!

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Above and below a vase and detail by Frances Linnell dated 1877.

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On the larger size is the famous Camberwell Beauty (above) which even today decorates the side of a building in Camberwell, London. On the smaller size are the Lambeth vases decorated with Butterflies under the pattern number X8725 and this charming bibelot by Harry Simmeon (often mistakenly attributed to Mark Mashshall) that I have in my own collection.

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There are also an array of Burslem butterflies to collect – from floating flower bowl clips which can be found mounted on stumps too, to brooches, to tea wares, to serieswares.

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Three Butterfly clips for bowls and vases ca.1920.

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Detail of a seriesware pattern that was also used in art wares from the Robert Allen studio.

For me the most wonderful Butterfly created by Doulton was the stylish figure of a girl in a butterfly costume designed by Leslie Harradine from 1925 and available in 5 colourways.

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Harradine’s Butterfly HN719.

This figure was inspired by a costume design as Jocelyn and I originally revealed in our book Reflections. Another Butterfly is of course Harradine’s Fairy HN1324 with her butterfly wings!

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A favourite Fairy butterfly of mine.

In more recent times Doulton was keen to revisit past successes and so we have Peter Gee’s lovely figure Isadora and also the Prestige Butterfly Ladies Collection by the wonderful Valerie Annand.

Artists, Figure Articles, Peggy Davies

A look at how Peggy’s figurine Denise evolved!

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We all know that an artist’s original model can change dramatically during the pre-production and even sometimes post production phase.

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A chance sighting of this early version of Peggy Davies’ lady Denise reminded me of this! Here you can see an early prototype where there has been an attempt to create a lace effect over the skirt and also around the top of the dress. It makes quite a startling change to the figure and you can see why cost would have prohibited production of this elaborate model.

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A typical version of Denise HN2477 from the Vanity Fair series introduced in the 1980’s.

Many thanks to Jonathan at the Potteries Specialist Auctions for use of the photograph from their upcoming sale on 15th November.

Art deco, C. J. Noke

Remember, remember the 5th of November….

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…gunpowder, treason and plot!

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I’m sure there isn’t a British adult who does not remember the story of Guy Fawkes and his failed attempt to blow up Parliament when in session and thus return a Catholic monarch to the throne. Since his capture on the 5th November 1605 we have celebrated this event annually with large bonfires with a ‘Guy’ atop.
Despite his grizzly end, Guy or Guido Fawkes has been immortalised on many occasions by Royal Doulton in their most popular collections.

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One of the first is this large figure designed by Noke himself and available in 3 colourways as well as a modern miniature. I have always thought there must be a picture to go with this figure but to date nothing identical has turned up, save the typical illustrations of him since the foiled plot, such as this one. There has been a newer version of a Guy Fawkes illustrated above HN4784.

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Noke’s love of historical characters and events resulted in this wonderful addition to his range of limited edition loving cups and jugs introduced in the 1930’s, complete with detailed description to the base!

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And of course he has also been immortalised in Character Jug form too!

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Who would have thought that centuries later we would be celebrating this event and a man who was convicted of treason?

Pixies, Seriesware

Doulton’s rare seriesware pattern Pixies.

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For me this is one of the most endearing patterns that can be found on seriesware and it really does take you back to a different time – when fairies, pixies and gnomes were all the fashion and captured our imaginations.
There are two pattern numbers recorded – D3690 and D3747.
I have seen the plate on the right (D3690) in different colours and the design on the left (D3747) on a baby bowl – other than these examples, I have never come across any others, so I imagine it to be rare.
This charming series was introduced in 1913 and apparently withdrawn by 1930.

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Art deco, Artists, Figure Articles, Leslie Harradine

Doulton’s blossoming beauties!

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Of the many collecting themes based around colour that are so popular with collectors today, there is a particularly beautiful theme that is not quite as obvious. This being the group of figures with floral decoration to their dresses, cloaks and skirts. Only when looking at our own collections do we often realise that we have several examples in this style in our own collections – perhaps you have others we can add to this picture? I’m sure you’ll agree they make a stunning group! My personal favourites are those on Leslie Harradine’s figures.

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Art deco, Fashion, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Leslie Harradine

Collecting Doulton’s galloping gals!

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Collecting ‘themes’ is something we look at sporadically but often it is only on reflection that we – or should I say I – realise that we already have a sub-theme already in our collections. This was certainly the case with these Doulton ladies in riding costume!

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I have to admit that I don’t have them displayed as a group, but that is simply because they have been gathered over time and they’ve ‘slotted’ in as and where I can! However, I did find that I had one of my favourites, the Hunts Lady, standing ironically next to a fox!

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Perhaps I’ll find somewhere to have them as a group now, next time I move things around!

Art deco, Art nouveau, Christening cups, Lambeth

Collecting Doulton Christening Cups.

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A selection of Christening cups made at Lambeth from the 19th Century – early 20th Century.

When I first saw these cups due to be auctioned this weekend, I was reminded once again of the diversity of Doulton, but also the diversity of collectors too! Here once again is a novel collecting theme!

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The Christening cup is a typical Christening gift for a baby and whilst more well-to-do families may have chosen silver examples, these personalised stoneware cups were no doubt more modestly priced in comparison. These mini works of art have obviously been cherished over the decades and remain as evidence of their original owners. How wonderful would it be to trace the original owners?

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Many thanks to the Potteries Auctions for use of these photos from their sale on Sunday 26th October.

Alchemist, Art deco, Art nouveau, Artists

Royal Doulton’s Alchemists.

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Sung and Chang catalogues featuring an alchemist figure.

Since the earliest times of Doulton’s art studios in Burslem, we have seen a procession of objects reflecting our continued fascination with alchemy.

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A Kingsware Alchemist jug.

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A fantastic Sung Alchemist style plaque sold at Bonhams.

Be it the search for the fabled philosopher’s stone, the elixir of life or the ability to turn base metals into gold – the slightest possibility that these may be possible has kept us gripped, as we can trace from literature’s fascination with it too from Shakespeare’s plays right up to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

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The Alchemist from the HN Collection.

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Another portrayal of an Alchemist on an art nouveau Holbein vase.

Art deco, Fashion, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration

Doulton’s 1930’s glamour girls.

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After the roaring twenties, the 1930’s developed into a decade of glamour where long, sleek lines and Hollywood glamour took over. Whilst Doulton continued to produced the Victorian style ladies, characters and child studies so favoured by collectors, there were a distinct group of glamour girls which were introduced as a nod to this change in style.

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Two of the first introduced, also happen to be two favourites of mine – Clothilde and Gloria, who appear to have stepped straight out if the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.

Hats have always been a popular theme for collectors, so it is no surprise to see Windflower here with her contemporary brimmed hat.

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Another hat girl is Nadine, who could be promenading along a boardwalk in the evening sun, lapping up attention from her would-be admirers.

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Still other ladies seem to represent popular sports such as the stylish Maureen with her riding crop.

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Another favourite figure of mine is this, The Mirror, with her chic dressing gown, admiring her reflection in her mirror. She is such a delicate figure it is not hard to see why so few have survived.

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A final figure that I’d like to share is the stunning Lambeth Walk, shown dancing to the famous tune of the same name. Her clothes are the epitome of 1930’s chic and this colourway of her is so detailed.

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