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!

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