The redoubtable British ceramics maker 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, Doulton opened an art pottery studio in Lambeth, where vases, urns and other forms were decorated with painted scenic images, flowers or historical motifs.
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 as the heads of figures from folklore and popular culture. Doulton purchased a factory in Burslem in 1882, and King Edward VII granted the factory his Royal Warrant in 1901.
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. The firm truly offers something for everyone.
Find Royal Doulton figurines, plates, vases and other collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.
Royal Doulton England Ceramic and Sterling Silver Cocktail Martini Shaker
By Royal Doulton, Hukin & Heath
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exceptional Royal Doulton Hunting Series Cocktail Shaker, circa 1920 This rare and remarkable ceramic cocktail shaker is a standout piece from Royal Doulton's celebrated Hunting Seri...
Metal, Sterling Silver
$180Sale Price|20% Off
English Porcelain Vessel by Royal Doulton for British Airways Airline, Small
By Royal Doulton
Located in New York, NY
A small English porcelain vessel by Royal Doulton for British Airways, circa late-20th century, England. With maker's mark on bottom as shown in image #10. A great small piece for je...
Porcelain
ROYAL DOULTON Martini Crystal Etched Glasses Set of 2 Vintage Cocktail Barware
By Royal Doulton
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage ROYAL DOULTON Martini Crystal clear Etched Glasses Set of 2.Royal Doulton precious crystal barware cocktail glasses with a unique handmade etc...
Crystal
Winston Churchill Toby Jug by Royal Doulton
By Royal Doulton
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome vintage Winston Churchill collectible character jug or "Toby jug" decorative mug by the English pottery firm, Royal Doulton.
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
$278 / set
H 4.73 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Vintage Brandy Glasses, France, Set 6 Crystal Drinking Glasses
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Lead Crystal Brandy/Cognac Glasses Set 6 produced in France. Circa 1980s. Embossed Crystal brandy glasses used for serving whiskey, b...
Crystal
Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Home Alone Mini Martini Solo Shaker
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver mini martini shaker. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Straight and tapering sides, curved shoulder, and short neck. Snugly fitting bun co...
Sterling Silver
Mauro Manetti Stirrup Cup, Brass & Silver Plate, Boar Head, 1970
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mauro Manetti classic style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast boar head to one end. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in brass and silver plate. Gorgeous stirrup cup ...
Silver Plate, Pewter, Brass
Antique Sterling Silver Cobbler Cocktail Shaker (1933)
By William Bruford & Son Ltd
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver cobbler cocktail shaker; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique George V English sterling silver cobbler cocktail shaker has a tapering cylindrical form. The surface of this cocktail shaker embellished with impressive engine turned decoration. This cobbler shaker retains the original hallmarked domed push fit cover and stopper, each accented with further bands of engine turned ornamentation to the cylindrical portions. The detachable push fit hallmarked sterling silver stopper allows access to the integrated pierced decorated straining grille; this hallmarked grill is incorporated to the upper portion of the aforementioned removeable cover. Such sterling silver examples are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique silver cocktail shaker...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Doulton Burslem Glen Urquart Highland Whiskey Dispenser
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and large glazed ceramic whiskey dispenser with strong form and color. Mark on the base dates to 1882-1891. Urquart owner's inscription also i...
Ceramic
1920's Antique Kut Hing Swatow Cocktail/Martini Shaker
Located in Paris, FR
A rare pair of early 20th-century Chinese cocktail shakers by Kut Hing, one of the most esteemed Swatow pewterware makers. Known for their intricate craftsman...
Metal
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' Brass Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' brass bottle opener. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bottle opener is executed in polished brass. Price is per item. Th...
Brass
Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Home Alone Mini Martini Solo Shaker
By Reed & Barton, Shreve, Crump & Low
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver mini martini shaker. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass., ca 1939. Straight and tapering sides, curved shoulder, and short neck. Snugly fitting ...
Sterling Silver
Cocktail Shaker Cocktail Shaker
By Walker & Hall
Located in London, GB
A wonderful English Art Deco Silver Cocktail Shaker made by Walker & Hall in 1954. The shaker is exquisitely tapered and will make a good cocktail even better! A stylish blend of fo...
Silver
Royal Doulton Egyptian Revival Porcelain Jardinière
By Royal Doulton
Located in Stamford, CT
Royal Doulton jardinière made during the Egyptian Revival period.
Porcelain
$260 / set
H 5.91 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Set of Crystal Champagne/Cocktail Glasses by Gallo, Germany, 1970s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Beautiful vintage champagne glasses from the famous German factory Gallo, around 1970s, made of clear crystal with a golden border. This set...
Crystal
Sold
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Grotesque Bacchus Ceramic Tankard by Royal Doulton, United Kingdom 1958
By Royal Doulton
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in the United Kingdom in 1958. It is made in polychrome ceramic. This tankard is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent ...
Ceramic
A Campaign Style Mahogany Tantalus With Crystal Decanters and Glasses.
By Royal Doulton
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A 1950's Royal Doulton Brass Mounted Mahogany Bottle Case / Tantalus, comprising a pair of glass decanters with stoppers and four glasses glasses, each with etched mark to the under...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Vintage Grotesque Bacchus Ceramic Tankard by Royal Doulton, United Kingdom 1958
By Royal Doulton
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in the United Kingdom in 1958. It is made in polychrome ceramic. This tankard is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent ...
Ceramic
Royal Doulton Antique Slop Pail as Wine Cooler
By Royal Doulton
Located in Wilton, CT
Exceptional Royal Doulton antique slop pail to be used as a wine or champagne cooler. Very good overall condition, may be used for multiple bottles or magnun...
Rare Ceramic Royal Doulton Tankards c.1910
By Royal Doulton
Located in London, GB
An impressive pair of ceramic Royal Doulton tankards with a look of leather and with silver mounts c.1910 We are always adding to our 1stdibs catalogue so be sure to add us to you...
Ceramic