Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Serious collectors of British ceramics are quite familiar with the forward-looking works that bear Doulton Burslem marks — the redoubtable British manufacturer Royal Doulton purchased a factory in Burslem in 1882, and King Edward VII granted the factory his Royal Warrant in 1901. Doulton of Burslem in Staffordshire is known for its innovative designs for vases, tableware and serveware created by the likes of Charles Noke and other artisans of the era.
Royal Doulton has long embraced popular tastes and enjoys a devoted following among aficionados of English pottery. Some are drawn to the company’s intricately decorated bone china dinner services; others are passionate collectors of Royal Doulton’s artfully hand-painted figurines, vases and bowls.
When founded by John Doulton, Martha Jones and John Watts in 1815, in the Lambeth section of suburban London, the manufacturer produced bottles and other storage containers and even sewer pipes in stoneware, a cheap but durable cousin of porcelain.
Amid the Victorian era’s rising concern for hygiene, food safety and sanitation, the company flourished. During the late 1850s — having rebranded as Doulton & Watts and then Doulton and Co. — the firm was colloquially referred to as Doulton Ware. And in the late 1870s, it expanded its business into the applied arts.
The firm took over a factory in Staffordshire, in northern England — the traditional home of British ceramics manufacturing — to produce tableware. Around the same time, Henry Doulton — John Doulton's son — opened an art pottery studio in Lambeth, where vases, urns and other forms were decorated with painted scenic images, flowers or historical motifs thanks to its collaborations with students at the nearby Lambeth School of Art.
Taking a cue from the venerable Meissen porcelain workshops in Germany, Doulton artisans began crafting figurines modeled on characters from literature and theater. The firm also helped popularize Toby Jugs and other “character mugs” — handled cups shaped like the heads of figures from folklore and popular culture.
Royal Doulton china will always make an elegant yet not-too-formal appearance in a traditional table setting. Prices for dinner services vary according to size, age and condition, but generally range from $2,000 to $15,000.
Authentic Royal Doulton art pottery might be used by some as a bright decorative note; others collect the company’s figurines with the same interest and dedication as stamp and coin enthusiasts. A typical Toby Jug might fetch $50, while very rare figurines can sell for $7,000. Most of the finest Royal Doulton art pottery pieces sell for around $500.
As you will see on these pages, few decorative-arts companies are as aesthetically and stylistically diverse as Royal Doulton (and Doulton of Burslem). The firm truly offers something for everyone.
Find Doulton Burslem vases, pitchers, plates and other decorative objects and collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Coral
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Acrylic
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Iron
Early 1900s Unknown Neoclassical Revival Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Faience
Late 19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Doulton Burslem Figurative Sculptures
Enamel, Bronze
Doulton Burslem figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Doulton Burslem?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Doulton Burslem is a marking found on some ceramics produced by the manufacturer Royal Doulton. The mark refers to the company's name and Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, UK, the location of its factory. Shop a selection of Doulton Burslem decorative objects on 1stDibs.