Royal Doulton Historical Memorabilia

British

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 historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Royal Doulton historical memorabilia are available for sale on 1stDibs.

Questions About Royal Doulton Historical Memorabilia

Is Doulton the same as Royal Doulton?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Doulton is the same as Royal Doulton. The ceramic and home accessories manufacturer was granted the right to use ‘Royal’ in its name by King Edward VII in 1901. You can shop a range of antique and vintage Royal Doulton pieces on 1stDibs.
What is special about Royal Doulton?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Royal Doulton pottery is prized among collectors as one of the oldest still-operating manufacturers of fine art pottery in Britain. Founded in 1815, it gained the ‘Royal’ moniker in 1901. Shop a collection of expertly-vetted Royal Doulton wares on 1stDibs from some of the world’s top sellers.
Is Royal Doulton valuable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
Yes, some Royal Doulton pieces are valuable. How much a particular piece is worth depends on its age, type, rarity, condition and other factors. Highly sought-after Royal Doulton collectibles include the Bunnykins figurines, human figurines produced during the 1930s and '40s and pieces from limited edition series such as the Gone with the Wind and Henry VIII figurines. To get an estimated value for a particular Royal Doulton piece, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. Shop a variety of Royal Doulton ceramics on 1stDibs.
What is Royal Doulton Flambe?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Royal Doulton Flambe is a type of glassware produced by the English manufacturer Royal Doulton. Its name comes from the fact that its copper oxide glaze gives the glass a dark flame-red finish. Flambe glassware debuted in 1904. You'll find a collection of Royal Doulton Flambe decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Does Royal Doulton still exist?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Royal Doulton as a brand still exists but it has been rolled into many other brands and buyouts over the years. As of 2015, it was acquired by the Fiskars Corporation along with Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Albert. Shop a range of antique and vintage Royal Doulton on 1stDibs.
Is Royal Doulton still in business?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Royal Doulton is still in business. Royal Doulton has been a part of the Fiskars Corporation that also oversees other European pottery and porcelain brands, such as Wedgwood and Royal Albert. Shop a variety of porcelain collectibles, including Royal Doulton, on 1stDibs.
How do you identify Royal Doulton patterns?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
To identify Royal Doulton patterns, look on the item's back or bottom for a pattern number. The British maker introduced a numbering system in 1928, and many pieces produced since then show off a letter and a four-digit number corresponding to a pattern name. Once you've located these numbers, you can utilize trusted online resources to complete the identification process. If you can't find a pattern number, consider having a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Royal Doulton tableware and decorative objects.
How can you tell if something is Royal Doulton?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To tell if something is Royal Doulton, search the bottom or back for a maker's mark. Nearly all Royal Doulton pieces feature a marking, but the British maker's wording and logos changed over the years. Most pieces made after 1820 will say "Doulton" along with other words, while older items may feature the "Vauxhall Pottery" stamp. If you're still uncertain, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with making an identification. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Royal Doulton porcelain.
How can you tell how old a Royal Doulton is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
To tell how old a Royal Doulton is, find the maker's marking, usually located in an inconspicuous area. The maker changed the wording of its markings over the years. For example, it began marking pieces with “Doulton & Watts” in 1820 and then switched to marking with “Doulton & Watts Lambeth” in 1826. By cross-referencing the maker's mark on your piece with information published by trusted online resources, you can typically get a rough idea of its age. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Explore a range of Royal Doulton pottery on 1stDibs.
Is Royal Doulton made in England?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, some Royal Doulton pieces are still made in England, however, the majority of their pieces are made in Indonesia. Higher-quality and more meticulously designed pieces are still crafted in England. Shop a selection of Royal Doulton pieces for some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Which Royal Doulton figurines are rare?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
Many Royal Doulton figurines are rare. Among them are prototypes, which usually feature markings that say "Factory Proof," "Design Sample," "Survey Figure" or "Property of Royal Doulton Tableware produced for sale." Limited-edition figurines and older ones in exceptional condition also tend to be rarer. Some examples of rare and highly sought-after Royal Doulton figurines include the RailRoad Guard, designed by B. Harper; the Virginia HN2844, made in 1978; the Rose Garden HN4559, produced in 1994; and Juno and the Peacock HN2827, circa 1984. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Royal Doulton figurines.
Is Royal Doulton pottery worth anything?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2024
Yes, some Royal Doulton pottery is worth something. The 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. How much a Royal Doulton piece is worth depends on several factors, including style, type, age and condition. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can evaluate your pottery based on these characteristics and tell you how much it may be worth. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of Royal Doulton pottery.
How can you tell how old a Royal Doulton figurine is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To tell how old a Royal Doulton figurine is, locate the maker's mark, usually located on the bottom. Since the British maker used different marks over time, researching the wording present on your figurine can give you a rough idea of its age. For example, a piece that reads "Henry Doulton & Co." was most likely produced between 1846 and 1854. If you encounter any challenges, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Royal Doulton figurines.