Royal Doulton Decorative Art
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.
1920s English Belle Époque Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
Late 20th Century German Art Deco Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
1980s Japanese Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century British Folk Art Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Ceramic
1890s English Country Antique Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Faience
1980s Japanese Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
1980s Japanese Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Sterling Silver
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
1980s French Art Nouveau Vintage Royal Doulton Decorative Art
Porcelain
Royal Doulton decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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 Royal Doulton Flambe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Royal 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Royal 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024Many 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.
- Does Royal Doulton still exist?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.