Royal Doulton - Seaway China

Vol. I • Spring 2013
SeawayChina.com
Royal
Doulton
CELEBRATING
100 YEARS
of
THE ICONIC
HN FIGURE
RANGE
Darling HN1
c. 1913
Our “Amazing” Gallery is Now Open
2013 is off to a great start! Looking back at the past year, we can’t believe all the
amazing things that took place in our new Gallery of Amazing Things. From our move
to Dania Beach, Florida to our grand opening event in September to last month’s
Centennial Jubilee celebrating 100 years of the HN figure range with Michael Doulton,
we thank YOU for making it all possible!
Our new gallery space has turned out to be even better than we ever imagined. The
positive response from you, our valued collectors, has been overwhelming. All of our
brands — including Royal Doulton and Lladró — are prominently displayed in their very
own galleries. We invite you to come and see our spectacular new gallery for yourself.
If you find yourself in sunny South Florida, please call us to make an appointment.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Royal Doulton’s iconic HN figure range. In
this issue, Christopher Evans, Seaway China’s guest contributor and Royal Doulton
expert, traces the history of the world-renowned Royal Doulton figure range, starting
with Darling HN1. After more than 20 years in the world of Royal Doulton, we are
always excited to learn new things about Royal Doulton’s colorful past. We know you
will be excited too!
Happy Spring,
Gregg Whittecar and Arron Rimpley
Owners of Seaway China and the Gallery of Amazing Things
royal doulton insight
Royal Doulton Centennial Jubilee
Celebrating 100 Years of
Royal Doulton’s Iconic HN Figure Range
By Christopher Evans
Few people in 1913 would have imagined that this article would be written to celebrate the 100th
Christopher Evans
anniversary of Royal Doulton’s HN Collection. After all, it was not Doulton’s first attempt at introducing
Royal Doulton Historian
a figure range. Many other famous factories had attempted and failed at this ambition. In 1893 at the
World Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, a handful of figurative models by one of Doulton’s newest
recruits, Charles J. Noke, were among their exhibits. These minimally decorated figures, now commonly referred to as Vellum
Figures, met with a mixed reception from the buying public. As a result, Noke’s ambition of reviving the once famous Staffordshire
figure production was put on hold as his attention was drawn away by other projects including the introduction of Kingsware,
Rembrandtware, Holbeinware, the famous flambé glazes and the introduction of Doulton’s Series Ware. The range of Vellum Figures
was very much influenced by the products of the Worcester factory where Noke had worked for some sixteen years until leaving to
join Doulton in Burslem in his early 30’s. He would later comment that he joined Doulton ‘not for the money but for the freedom’ as
Henry Doulton famously allowed his artists free rein.
Isn’t He a Darling!
Christopher Evans, Author, Lecturer and Seaway China’s
Royal Doulton Expert joins forces with Jocelyn Lukins to
publish an exciting book about Royal Doulton figures:
Reflections - Doulton Figurines
as a Mirror of their Times
Christopher Evans is a full time teacher in England, teaching in primary
and secondary schools as well as lecturing at the university level in
language and education. Christopher’s passion for antiques and collecting
began at an early age. Regular visits to antiques fairs and auctions led
to the chance purchase of a “tray lot” of Royal Doulton figures. Having
developed a true passion for Royal Doulton figures, Christopher began to
research the history of figurine production in Burslem. By the age of 18,
Christopher was already a regular on the antiques fair scene in England
and had amassed a small collection of figures.
Reflections Doulton Figurines as
a Mirror of Their Times
By Jocelyn Lukins and
Christopher Evans
Hardcover, 96 pages
Full Color
8.5”H x 6”W $25
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Christopher’s frenzy of collecting brought him
into contact with Jocelyn Lukins, a leading Royal
Doulton authority and dealer, which led to a great
friendship. Jocelyn took Christopher under her
wing, educating him on all things Royal Doulton.
This friendship led to Christopher becoming a
regular contributing writer for Jocelyn’s magazine
“Collecting Doulton.” Jocelyn and Christopher
teamed up once again in 2011 to publish a book
on their joint research into the history of the
Royal Doulton HN range. Their exciting book is
available exclusively through Seaway China.
King George V and Queen Mary arrive for their tour
of the Royal Doulton Potteries, April 23, 1913.
A timely visit to the Royal Doulton Burslem factory in April 1913 by
England’s then King George V and Queen Mary provided a renewed
impetus to Noke’s desire to launch a new range of figures. In the
years preceding this visit Noke had been approaching a carefully
selected group of artists to provide models for Royal Doulton to
reproduce in ceramic. It is reported that the new range of figures
was completed in late 1912 but the launch of the range was held
back to coincide with the Royal visit. What a
good decision this proved to be as Queen
Mary would become a fan of the range
making many purchases over the coming
decades. In Royal Doulton’s brochures
from the 1920’s and 1930’s they even
pin pointed the figures Her Majesty had
purchased – it undoubtedly proved very
useful to have the most famous lady in
the land favouring their figures.
During the course of the Royal visit to Burslem in 1913, their Royal Highnesses were shown a display of
the new figure range. Queen Mary on spotting a charming model by Charles Vyse then known internally
as Bedtime, reputedly exclaimed “Isn’t he a darling!” Since that famous proclamation, he has been know
the world over as Darling HN1. As collectors have come to expect from Royal Doulton, colour variations
of this popular figure were produced in the succeeding years with a very rare green and also a pink night
gown. In 1946 a scaled down version of Darling HN1 was introduced as HN1985. Thus Darling remained
in production for over 80 years, setting a precedent for child figures reminiscent of days gone by. ‘Darling’
remains Vyse’s most popular figure for Royal Doulton. He also went on to create his own series of
Chelsea Figures with his talented wife Nell, which Royal Doulton would imitate for the HN range!
Other figures ready for the 1913 Royal visit included Phoebe Stabler’s Madonna of
the Square HN10, William White’s The Sleepy Scholar HN15 and Coquette HN20,
other Charles Vyse figures The Return of Persephone HN31 and Elizabeth Fry HN2
and of course models by Charles Noke himself, including Dunce HN6, An Arab HN33
Darling
HN1
7.75”H
c. 1913
$3,600
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Royal Doulton Insight
(later known as The Moor) and a fox modelled as Pedlar Wolf
HN7. This last figure points the way to a further direction the HN
range took, namely animal studies and foxes were a perennial
favourite of Noke. One further figure must be mentioned here
not simply because it was the first so-called Royal Doulton lady
to be introduced, but also because of her size. Whereas the
other models mentioned were somewhat sculptural in style and
also size, George Lambert’s The Crinoline HN8 was a diminutive
16 cm high – a more familiar size of figure for today’s collectors
around the world.
Whilst the range is now universally known as the HN range, it
should be noted that the familiar ‘HN’ cipher was not used in
the pattern books until HN46, The Gainsborough Hat by Harry
Tittensor. Until that point simply the number, such as ‘1’ for
Darling would be used in the Royal Doulton records. Interestingly
the first figure to be completed with this new numbering system
was Myfanwy Jones HN39, which was the 311th model and
completed on 29th January, 1915. Thereafter all figures have
been marked with the now familiar HN number, named after
Harry Nixon, one of the original team involved with the new
range of figures.
Inspiration for figures at this point came from varied sources such as fashion, Out for a Walk HN86, the
theatre, Doris Keane as Cavallini HN90, HN96 and Charley’s Aunt HN35. From history, Guy Fawkes
HN98 and from illustration, A Mandarin HN84, Blue Beard HN75, A Woman of the Time of Henry VI
HN43, Sir Thomas Lovell HN356, Lady and Blackamoor HN374. This last tradition was to permeate
throughout the following 100 years as artists continued to use contemporary influences to produce
figures for the HN range.
The Roaring 1920’s
The next phase of the HN range began with the British Industries Fair of 1920 held at the Crystal
Palace in London and also with the re-acquaintance of Royal Doulton with the talented Leslie
Harradine who had been an apprentice modeller at their Lambeth studio in London. It was reported
in press reviews of the Doulton stand following this major fair, that there was now a “renaissance
of Staffordshire figure making after long neglect.” At the fair Queen Mary again made purchases
of Darling and also a new figure, Contentment HN395, by Harradine. Royal Doulton themselves
tell us that Queen Mary became an admirer of Harradine’s work and made further purchases of his
work at subsequent exhibitions over a number of years. Yet, production of Royal Doulton’s figures
remained on a limited scale well into the 1920’s despite the publicity surrounding this exhibition
and also the Paris Exhibition of 1925. Even in 1927 the number of figure painters amounted to ten
but already included many famous names including Norman Woodings, John Pierpoint, Harry Allan,
Bertha Capes, Harry Stevenson, Charles Nixon, Eric Webster and of course Reginald Brown who
would later become head of the figure painting department. I know of a handful of collectors who
specifically collect figures by the aforementioned painters!
The HN Range Expands
The success of the HN range was still not assured and Noke
sought ever more avenues to expand the range so as to tap
into the buying public’s imagination. In 1914 Noke succeeded
John Slater as Art Director at Burslem.
Between 1914 and 1920 a handful
An early Royal Doulton catalog page, circa
of other sculptors provided models
1915, featuring new additions to the HN range.
for the range including Albert
Toft, Lawrence Perugini, the
aforementioned Harry Tittensor
and Ernest W. Light — the latter two being resident artists. Together they were responsible for the diverse
expansion of the range, as Noke tried to find a particular strong footing for the range. Their figures
ranged from pretty ladies such as the appropriately named
Pretty Lady HN69, The Curtsey HN57, The Flounced
Skirt HN57A and Shy Anne HN60 to historical figures
including A Lady of the Elizabethan Period HN40, The
Lady Anne HN83 and Robert Burns HN42. Noke’s own
creations included his favourite Jester which had been
modelled years earlier as part of the Vellum Range
in the late 19th Century. The character of the Jester
appears throughout English literature and history and
fittingly many times within the HN range after first
appearing in 1915. The addition of Noke’s name on
the bases of all these early figures, often leads to the
misconception by some that it was he who modelled
them. In reality he was just claiming ownership of
the model and design as Royal Doulton’s Art Director.
I have however, come across figures with the artist
Myfanwy
initials CN on them from the 1920’s and it is fair to
Jones
assure that these were indeed painted by Charles
HN39
Noke himself given the style of the initials.
12”H
c. 1914
A figure maker
$9,000
and painter c.1913
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This Royal Doulton catalog page from the 1920’s
captures the essence of the Art Deco period.
Despite every enticement
offered by Noke, Harradine
steadfastly refused to join
Doulton as an employee.
Thankfully an agreement
was forged whereby Harradine
Guy Fawkes
would supply models to Royal
HN98
Doulton on a freelance basis — an
10.5”H c. 1918
arrangement that lasted nearly 40
$3,000
years. Interestingly there is no further
record of the two men having
ever met. Certainly Harradine did not visit the
Burslem studios. Harradine proved to be the
elixir Noke had been seeking. Among his first
models were The Princess HN391, Puff and
Powder HN397, The Goosegirl HN425
and of course the five characters of the
Beggar’s Opera. His models were not
only fresh but they captured the spirit
of their times. In the art deco period his
models were the epitome of their time
with their theatrical costumes, bobbed
hair and spirit. Consider Harlequinade
HN585, The Bather HN597, Pierette
HN642, The Mask HN656 or Mam’selle
HN658. Equally popular among collectors
are his figures representing 1920’s and
1930’s fashions including Lido Lady
HN1220, Negligée HN1219, Angela
HN1204, Hunts Lady HN1201, Midinette
HN1289 and The Mirror HN1852.
Lido Lady HN1220
6.75”H c. 1927 $2,700
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Royal Doulton Insight
Old Balloon
Seller
HN1315
7.5”H c. 1929
$200
Harradine took inspiration from many
sources such as London street life to
bring us a riot of colour through
his Balloon Sellers and other street
vendors; including the instantly
recognisable Old Balloon Seller
HN1315 introduced in 1929,
The Flower Seller HN789, Twoa-Penny HN1359, The Windmill
Lady HN1400 and Dolly Varden
HN1514 amongst many others.
The exotic East and the Orient proved
a particularly strong influence upon the
HN range and where Noke and Tittensor
had produced figures such as The
Cobbler HN542, The Potter HN1493
and the various models of One of the
Forty (amounting to considerably more than forty).
Harradine went on to give us other characters including
The Mendicant HN1355 and Abdullah HN1410.
Antoinette
HN1850
8.25”H
c. 1938
$2,700
Harradine’s inspiration came
from many sources, including
paintings and calendar designs.
Harradine’s Victorian
Pretty Ladies
As a sculptor, Harradine was equally at home creating what
would become an array of bonneted Victorian ladies,
including the ever popular Victorian Lady HN726
herself and the 15 other colourways of this beguiling
lady. It is these ladies for which Harradine is perhaps
best known and certainly two of his creations
symbolised the Royal Doulton house style for over
five subsequent decades. These two most famous
of Royal Doulton ladies are of course Autumn
Breezes HN1911 and Top o’ the Hill HN1833. Both
were based upon calendar designs, the sole reproduction
in bone china rights being purchased by Royal Doulton.
Harradine favoured the original artists of these two
figures, Stanislaus Longley and Molly Benatar, for
many years. There is a recently published book
by Jocelyn Lukins and myself covering this
association and the inspiration behind
many of the most popular figures in
the HN range. A recent discovery
of mine is the influence of the
sculptor Agatha Walker on
Harradine’s work. Not only
did Walker also model the
various characters from the
Beggar’s Opera and Kate
Hardcastle (the heroine from
Goldsmith’s novel She Stoops
to Conquer); like Harradine,
she also provided him with
the inspiration for two of
his models, namely Anthea
HN1526 and Miranda HN1818.
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If it was Harradine’s complete love of women that so enabled him to produce
such an array of differently appealing ladies, (no doubt helped in part by each
of his three wives), then the fact he had six of his own children may explain
the success of his child studies. Throughout his long association with
Royal Doulton, Harradine supplied a near constant stream of child
models. Their popularity was once again shared with Royalty,
with Queen Mary purchasing copies of his Child Study HN603 at
the British Industries Fair of 1928. Whether it be the demure Sea
Sprite HN1261, the dainty Blue Bird HN1280, his procession of
fairy models, his adorable Betty HN1404 with her terrier or his
charming Boy with Turban HN 586 – the success of each piece
is assured by his successful interpretation of the theme and
the innocence of childhood.
The versatility of Harradine’s models is borne out by the fact
that so many of his figures were simply adapted in house
by the Royal Doulton artists and re-issued. Harradine’s
Sweet Maid HN1504 is very unusual to find, a fact
perhaps explained by the introduction of Millicent
HN1714 in 1935. Similarly, Helen HN1509 was
succeeded by June HN1690 again in 1935.
Further examples of simply using existing models are
The Windmill Lady HN1400 and The Old Lavender Seller
HN1492, clearly the old lady in each is the same. Similarly, In the Stocks
HN1474 became Tildy HN1576. Have any of you noticed the similarity between
Biddy HN1445 and Rita HN1448? Rita is clearly the larger ‘sister’ to Biddy!
June HN1690
7.25”H c. 1935
$1,350
The Outbreak of WWII
Autumn Breezes
HN1911 7.5”H c. 1939
$250
Top o’ the Hill
HN1833
7”H c. 1937
$300
Harradine’s heyday was the 1920’s to the
1940’s. With the outbreak of World War II,
production of the HN range continued on a
strictly limited basis as severe restrictions were
introduced in the UK to help the war effort.
Indeed it is unusual to find figures dated 1943
onwards due to these restrictions. However, a
handful of figures including The Old Balloon
Seller continued to be produced and exported
to the USA throughout the war years. The Royal
Doulton publications generally say that figures
from this time were withdrawn ‘by 1949.’
However in my experience ‘by 1943’ and
certainly ‘1944’ would be a better assumption
for the date of withdrawal. Harradine
continued providing models for Royal Doulton
into the 1950’s, although new introductions by
him became fewer as production restrictions,
not only in the post war period but also
self-imposed restrictions relating to the cost
effectiveness of productions, came into play.
Leslie Harradine himself reported that “I sent
at least one model a month, sometimes two
or three, for nearly forty years…then I wrote
and told them I couldn’t do any more.” Thus
ended Harradine’s long association with Royal
Doulton that began with him as an apprentice
modeller under the great George Tinworth
and John Broad in 1902.
This Royal Doulton catalog page, circa 1933, illustrates the versatility of
Harradine’s figures, including one mounted on a table lamp base.
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Royal Doulton Insight
the 1950’s Provides new Inspiration
The Advent of Peggy Davies
The possibility of one day becoming Royal Doulton’s main figure modeller
after the retirement in the 1950’s of the prodigious Leslie Harradine
must have been a daunting task, but one which Peggy Davies certainly
rose to. As a teenager she won a scholarship to the Burslem School of Art
and to help fund her studies she worked as an assistant to Clarice Cliff.
Her association with Royal Doulton began in 1939 following an interview
with Cecil ‘Jack’ Noke, son of Charles Noke, who had succeeded his
father as Art Director at Royal Doulton’s factory in Burslem. Recognising
Peggy’s talent immediately, she was engaged as Jack Noke’s assistant.
Amongst her first commissions were a collection of what Peggy was
later to describe as “netsuke” style animals, but which we of course
know as the ‘K’ range of penguins, the series of piglets and also
some tableware patterns and two dog models for Royal Doulton’s
Championship Dog range. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II,
Peggy left Royal Doulton to become a nurse for the war effort. In the
post-war period Peggy returned, but this time as a freelance artist
much like her predecessor Leslie Harradine, and submitted models
to Royal Doulton for approval. Peggy’s first models to be introduced
were a series of characters from English history between 1080
and 1860 and also a more typical Royal Doulton figure study,
Lady Anne Nevill
the ever popular Christmas Morn HN1992. Interestingly this
HN2006
figure was introduced in 1947 and I have in my own collection
9.75”H c. 1948
a blue colourway of her dated 1942. This proves that she was
$1,000
modelled at least five years prior to her introduction and no doubt
held back for the re-launch of the HN range in the post World War II period. The exact date for this re-launch is unknown. But careful
examination of the bible for all figure collectors, Royal Doulton Figures by Desmond Eyles, and also a little research lead me to believe
that it was early in 1947. Whilst restrictions on fancy goods remained in the UK, companies were permitted to export their goods and
Royal Doulton’s foreign adverts of the time announce that production was ‘up and running again’.
Peggy Develops Her Own Style
Longley’s painting
inspired the Christmas
Morn figure.
Christmas Morn HN1992
7”H c. 1947 $200
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Peggy would become one of the most prolific modellers for Royal Doulton
and both parties benefitted from their long association. She is famed
for her meticulous research of the pieces she created and she
herself confessed that she often frequented museums, including the
Victoria and Albert in London, to seek inspiration.
Furthermore, contrary to the Royal Doulton
preference for Victorian style ladies, Peggy
herself preferred the Regency period of fashion.
She apparently modelled her stylish figure Minuet
HN2066 to prove her point, but also to reinforce
her own position as an individual and not just a
continuation for the Harradine legacy. Her love
of the arts and particularly ballet is certainly clear
and she modelled many ballerinas over the years.
A personal favourite of mine is Giselle, The Forest
Glade HN2140 which is closely modelled on
Dame Margot Fonteyn, the Prima Ballerina
of the Royal Ballet here in the UK. Fonteyn
gained worldwide fame in 1949 when the
Royal Ballet toured America and she became
an instant celebrity.
Minuet HN2066
7.25”H c. 1950 $1,600
The 1950’s provided Peggy with the inspiration for a small group of figures inspired
no doubt by the clear, elongated lines of the sculptress Daphne Hardy and the
Festival of Britain of 1951. This inspiration brought us the particularly stylish Sweet
Sixteen HN2231 with her popular ponytail, and also Sea Sprite HN2191, Wood
Nymph HN2192, Melody HN2202, Teenager HN2203 together with modern
interpretations of Harlequin HN2186 and Columbine HN2185. For the 1958
International Exposition held in Brussels, Peggy created the prize-winning
figure group The Marriage of Art and Industry HN2261 in an edition of only
12. In typically characteristic form, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh
re-christened this piece ‘Young Love in Brussels’ upon seeing it at the Royal
Doulton stand.
Whilst Peggy remained the doyenne of Doulton pretty ladies for many years,
her talents also led her to create several pieces for Royal Doulton’s Prestige
range. One particularly arresting model is her Matador and Bull HN2324
introduced in 1964. As part of the research for this piece Peggy visited not
only agricultural establishments but also local abattoirs to gain a deeper
understanding of the animals. Equally painstaking research was carried out
for the two limited edition Prestige pieces: Indian Brave HN2376 and The Palio
HN2428. These last two pieces must have proved costly to produce as examples
are rare in today’s market place. The fine modelling and keen attention to detail
really do set these two pieces apart.
Columbine
HN2185
7”H
c. 1957
$300
Harlequin HN2186
7.25”H c. 1957 $275
The Introduction of Limited Editions
One final aspect of Peggy’s work we must mention is her limited
edition ranges. Of the many limited edition series produced by Royal
Doulton, the concept was begun with Peggy’s Lady Musician series
in 1970, all of which were produced in a limited edition of
750 pieces and unusually for the time also carried Peggy’s
name as modeller, something that had not been done since
the 1930’s. Further series were introduced, reflecting the
popularity of Peggy’s work. Indeed many collectors are
able to instantly recognise her work and favour her
figures for the attention to detail, especially their hands,
which Peggy frequently made a focal point of the
studies she produced. Subsequent limited
edition ranges included Peggy’s ‘Les
Femmes Fatales.’ Again each piece was
produced in a limited edition of 750
pieces and launched in 1979 with
Cleopatra HN2868. Also the ever
popular series ‘Dancers of the
World,’ each once more limited to 750
pieces, was introduced in 1978. Today these
series command high prices, a real tribute to
the skill and ability Peggy brought with her
to the Royal Doulton factory. No other single
artist has yet surpassed the impressive 250
models attributed to Peggy and produced by
Royal Doulton over a 40 year partnership.
Cello HN2331
6”H Ltd.750
c. 1970 $1,500
Spanish Flamenco Dancer
HN2831 9.5”H Ltd.750
c. 1977 $1,650
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Royal Doulton Insight
Character Figures by Mary Nicoll
If Peggy was the chief protagonist of the Royal Doulton pretty lady, then we
must also mention the very talented Mary Nicoll here. During the 1950’s Mary
began creating figures for the HN collection and was responsible for many
character figures. Her figures are again instantly recognisable for their
character and personality, for many were actually based on real people
who lived in her home town of Devon. Consider the Helmsman
HN2499 or Sea Harvest HN2257 or a personal favourite
of mine, The Boatman HN2417, all with their nautical
theme. Other instantly recognisable and equally
collectible figures by Mary include: The Hornpipe
HN2161, In the Stocks HN2163, The Fiddler
HN2171 and The Organ Grinder HN2173.
In The Stocks HN2163
5.75”H c. 1955 $1,000
The Fiddler HN2171
8.75”H c. 1956 $1,300
The Last 40 Years
Lt. General
Ulysses Grant
HN3403 11.75”H
c. 1993 Ltd. 5,000
$1,250
General
Robert E. Lee
HN3404
11.5”H c. 1993
Ltd. 5,000
$1,250
The HN Range Continues
Thus a hundred years have passed since Darling HN1 was
introduced. Despite a slow start, the figures that make up the
heritage of the HN collection are now part of so many families
the world over. The success of the range cannot be denied or
underestimated, for no other factory has achieved what Royal
Doulton has in the intervening century; namely the continuing
revival of the once forgotten art of Staffordshire figure
production, the goal that Charles Noke originally sought
back in the late 19th Century. The sheer range of figures
available ensures the longevity of the range into the
future as new collectors pick up the love of collecting,
whilst the breadth of their ‘back catalog’ guarantees
that existing collectors will never tire of searching out
that next elusive figure for their cherished collections.
And so my search continues too . . . Happy hunting!
Christopher
In the 1970’s and 1980’s Eric Griffiths, then Art Director responsible for figure production, developed the figure department
further succeeding in assuring the continuation of the HN range with new series such as Reflections and Images, both inspired by
contemporary living. Since the end of WWII in 1945, Royal Doulton had been dependent on just Peggy’s and Mary’s great talent.
After Mary’s untimely death, Eric was charged with finding new sculptors to carry on the great Royal Doulton figure tradition after
Peggy. Shortly before Mary Nicoll’s unexpected death, Bill Harper was engaged as a freelance modeller and would eventually take
over as the main source of character figures. Indeed many of the character models sold at Bonhams in London from the Royal
Doulton archive were prototypes by Bill. At the same time Eric employed the talented Peter Gee and Robert Tabbenor as apprentice
modellers; both of whom have since created many instantly recognisable figures. Robert Tabbenor went on to create much sought
after figures such as the two great Civil War generals Ulysses S. Grant HN3403 and
Robert E. Lee HN3404. My favourite Peter Gee piece is Isadora HN2938, named
after the famous American dancer Isadora Duncan. I remember receiving her as a
memento of my first visit to the former Royal Doulton factory at Nile Street, Burslem.
The brochure for Henry VIII
and his wives series.
Jane Seymour HN3349
9”H c. 1991 Ltd.9,500 $950
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Another wonderful new addition to the department was Pauline Parsons, who
had the privilege of designing Sleepy Darling HN2953, the first limited
edition piece available to the Royal Doulton International Collectors Club
introduced in 1981. Pauline has since gone on to provide two of the
most popular series within the HN range, namely the Queens of the
Realm and the wonderful Wives of Henry VIII and also a model of the
formidable King himself. We must also mention Valerie Annand and
the late Alan Maslankowski, for both have made a considerable
contribution to the range in the last twenty years. Valerie’s
figures are instantly recognisable for their frills and
profuse detailing, whilst Alan’s character figures such as
Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington are both real
tours de force. He is also responsible for many child
figures introduced in the 1990’s. Whilst many of
the aforementioned sculptors continue to supply
figures to Royal Doulton, the company itself is as
keen as ever to ensure the continuation of the
HN range and have in recent years engaged
the talented Neil Faulkner. Neil had the honour
of portraying Catherine, the new wife of Prince
William, and also a number of special Christmas
pieces, many of which were exclusively previewed
in our Autumn catalog.
An original 1935 advertisement that displays the diversity of the Royal Doulton collection as “A Pageant of Surpassing Beauty.”
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