10 Royal Doulton Rare Figures With Stories To Tell
Some stories are written in books, others painted on canvas. But these ten Royal Doulton pieces tell their tales through porcelain, each one capturing a moment that continues to unfold in the imagination of those who encounter them...
10 Royal Doulton Rare Figures With Stories To Tell
Some stories are written in books, others painted on canvas. But these ten Royal Doulton pieces tell their tales through porcelain, each one capturing a moment that continues to unfold in the imagination of those who encounter them...
A Selection Where Every Glance Holds a Secret:
The Courtier HN1338
One of our favorite Leslie Harradine character studies is the Courtier HN 1338. The level of detail and precise painting make this particular example truly stand out. Produced from 1929 to 1938 the figurine features a young man sitting lazily in a chair with his walking stick diagonally laying across his lap. He is dressed in the style/period of Charles II. During this period known as “The Restoration”, men’s fashion got flashier and more decadent. Basically, the cavalier style got even more voluminous and for men, the slops they were wearing became something known as petticoat breeches. Also, as we can see on our Courtier, wigs were still very much in style for men. There is even a stylish and very fine pencil-thin moustache present.
Sketch Girl
‘The Sketch’ was very much a High Society journal, full of articles about the Royal family and the aristocracy; published by the ‘Illustrated London News’ it was a weekly journal which ran for 66 years ending in 1959. The Royal Doulton figure was called ‘Sketch Girl’ and introduced in 1923 with designed by Leslie Harradine; and withdrawn by 1938. The figure of Miss Sketch appeared on the front of the magazine and Doulton’s study is a very faithful copy of this peddler lady. In her tray she carries miniature figures representing the subjects covered by the publication: a ballerina for the theatre; a jockey for sport; a cupid for love stories, a soldier for current affairs and a devil who represents devilish satire. This figurine was never entered into the HN range and therefore carries no HN number. A wonderful and rare addition for any collection!
Fairy HN1324
These fairy figurines from Leslie Harradine acknowledge the craze in the UK over the Cottingley Fairies which began in 1917. In 1917, two young cousins in the small English village of Cottingley made a series of photographs that would not only capture the public's imagination but also act as a major turning point in the fairy craze of the early 20th century. Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, aged 16 and 9 respectively, claimed to have encountered and photographed fairies at the bottom of their garden. The photographs depicted the girls interacting with what appeared to be tiny, winged humanoid creatures—the traditional depiction of fairies. The Cottingley Fairies, as they came to be known, caused a sensation. These images seemed to offer tangible proof of what many people had come to believe or at least, wanted to believe. In a post-war world still reeling from the horrors of the Great War, the idea that magic and innocence could still exist was both comforting and captivating. The photos were a source of enchantment and debate, sparking widespread curiosity and controversy. Perhaps the most famous champion of the Cottingley Fairies was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Over the years, collectors have come to appreciate these wonderful, small fairy figurines and clamor to collect all the different versions in the range. Most were produced from 1929 to 1938. A fantastically cute collection!
Fairy HN1393
These fairy figurines from Leslie Harradine acknowledge the craze in the UK over the Cottingley Fairies which began in 1917. In 1917, two young cousins in the small English village of Cottingley made a series of photographs that would not only capture the public's imagination but also act as a major turning point in the fairy craze of the early 20th century. Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, aged 16 and 9 respectively, claimed to have encountered and photographed fairies at the bottom of their garden. The photographs depicted the girls interacting with what appeared to be tiny, winged humanoid creatures—the traditional depiction of fairies. The Cottingley Fairies, as they came to be known, caused a sensation. These images seemed to offer tangible proof of what many people had come to believe or at least, wanted to believe. In a post-war world still reeling from the horrors of the Great War, the idea that magic and innocence could still exist was both comforting and captivating. The photos were a source of enchantment and debate, sparking widespread curiosity and controversy. Perhaps the most famous champion of the Cottingley Fairies was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Over the years, collectors have come to appreciate these wonderful, small fairy figurines and clamor to collect all the different versions in the range. Most were produced from 1929 to 1938. A fantastically cute collection!
The Perfect Pair HN581
With this figurine, we see Leslie Harradine returning to the idea of young love and courtship. Here, the couple are engaged in a close embrace as the young man leans in to steal a kiss from his sweetheart. This figurine is made to resemble the “Chelsea Style” of figurine production which was famous in the mid to late 1750’s to the 1800’s. The Chelsea Style usually has a shrub, flowers, fence or some other supporting feature in the background of the piece which gives the figurine studies more support and structure. These delicate figurine studies would have been much more fragile if only attached to the base by their legs and feet.
Standing Beefeater - SOLD OUT
This is another example of a rare Royal Doulton figurine which also did not enter the HN range. The Illustrated London News commissioned this figurine and it was produced by Doulton from 1924 to 1938. The Illustrated London news was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine. The magazine was published weekly for most of its existence, switched to a less frequent publication schedule in 1971, and eventually ceased publication in 2003. The figurine depicts a beefeater standing while clutching a facsimile of the first edition of the Illustrated London News in 1842. The reproduction of the type is so remarkably clear and precise it is entirely readable with the aid of a magnifying glass. Quite an accomplishment!
Forget Me Not HN1812
This charming Royal Doulton figurine is in a color which we have not seen in over 20 years, HN 1812. In this version, a little girl sits waiting from someone and is painted in a striking pink colored dress which leads to white and lime green ruffles topped by a black accent stripe. It is a fantastic combination. The lime green color is also picked up in her long bonnet bow and shoes peeking out from her dress.
Meriel HN1931
This Royal Doulton figurine was made from 1940 to 1949 and we can imagine that only a few were probably produced during these war years as most production of painted figurines in the UK paused during this time period. With Meriel, we see Leslie Harradine up to his wonderful best sculpting again in depicting a young woman in a gorgeous pink dress and ruffled V-shaped collar. Her hat features exotic bird plumes and intricately painted ribbons which look wonderful!
Tete a Tete HN799
This wonderful Doulton figurine produced from 1926-1940 depicts a young couple in courtship. The young lady sits turned away from her would be suitor while holding a small mask in her hand. The young man, seemingly desperate to gain her favor, leans across the settee in an attempt to engage her in conversation or perhaps a flirty glance. The figurine features a sumptuously painted couch and pillow along with a gorgeously mottled gown for the young lady. The name of the figurine, “Tete a Tete”, means a private conversation between two people. Clearly something scandalous is going on here!
Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine
The Doulton vellum figurine range was produced in the late 1880’s to just after the turn of the century. The vellum body somewhat resembles the color of parchment paper and gives the figurines a truly antique look and feel to them. The absence of paint means the details of each figurine must be conveyed solely with expert sculpting. Charles Noke’s fascination with theater inspired him to create this figurine which features the celebrated Victorian-era actress Ellen Terry (1847-1928) for her famous role of Queen Catherine of Aragon ( King Henry VIII’s first wife ) in William Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII. The leading actress of her day, Ellen Terry even inspired Oscar Wilde to write a sonnet after seeing her perform one night. He wrote: "No woman Veronese looked upon/Was half so fair as thou whom I behold." High praise indeed!
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For inquiries or purchases, please call Tom Munro at 305-326-0060 ext. 101 - tom@pascoeandcompany.com | or visit our online store pascoeandcompany.com/
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