Jennie Harbour’s influence on Royal Doulton’s HN collection is relatively unknown. Certainly her name does not readily crop up in their company records, which detail when they bought many ‘sole rights for reproduction in china’ images from greetings card manufacturers and even artists directly. However, Harbour I have yet to find reference to….
Nevertheless her influence can be seen throughout the 1930s and Leslie Harradine clearly drew inspiration for many of his classic figures from her work including Miss Fortune, Lady Clare, Modena, Annabella etc….
Here we have a very early and rare figure Lady and Blackamoor together with the Harbour picture that inspired the group. Like a handful of bell-shaped figures from the time the model has been adapted as a powder bowl for a lady’s dressing table. Although unattributed here, these powder bowls were typically produced for Dubarry.
It will interest collectors to know that the head on the group illustrated was also remodelled for this bowl. Here is her original head from an early group photograph. The model number also differs model 267 being the original one piece group and the powder bowl model 273. Also note the differing position of the fan and hands.
This wonderfully early figure is coming up @ Lion and Unicorn auctions 21 April 2024. Visit http://www.lionandunicorn.com for further information!
As we gear up for the next Lion and Unicorn auction on Sunday, what better time to look back at this rather unusual derivative of Doulton’s famous championship dog collection also from the 1930s.
As well as seven different dog models, of which the setter, for example, was produced in a black colourway too, there is also a rare fox head model.
These animal heads are typically found – when they do turn up – mounted on wooden ovals, as illustrated in this original publicity shot from the 1930s.
The heads that appear to have been produced are a fox, a Pekingese, a cocker spaniel, an Airedale, a Sealyham, a foxhound and English setter and an Irish setter.
Lion and Unicorn Auctions have a selection of these rare heads coming up in their Horse and Hound sale 14.04.24!
Robert Allen began work at Nile St. when it was still owned by Pinder Bourne, after a brief period at Minton’s as a boy worker. Robert flourished under the guidance of John Slater, then art director, eventually taking over a painting department of his own. Work from his department is denoted by his initials R.A. followed by a number. Robert Allen’s own signed work is however, rare. Yet, he and his department were entrusted with much of the finest and most expensive decoration carried out at Burslem notably for the great exhibitions at which Doulton exhibited from the late 19thcentury. Robert was notably involved in the early development of Titanian ware.
Robert Allen in his studio c1910
The versatility of the RA studio meant that artists there worked on all manner of Doulton wares from early Vellum figures, to tablewares, to exhibition wares and even glaze wares.
Among the earliest of figures produced as part of the HN series sits Soooks HN 88. Not only do they represent the whimsical but also the often dark humour of the time.
Noke’s Spooks were made as a companion figure to Harry Tittensor’s A Spook HN 50 introduced in 1916. Whilst there were several colourways of the latter, only three official versions of Spooks were produced. Both models were withdrawn by 1936, although in reality any that were made later in this timeframe were likely to be one off special orders, as with all the early figures.
Returning to our star piece today, the colours are typical of other figures in the HN range from the 1920s where multiple firings achieved wonderful effects. The greens, purples, blues and reds are all reminiscent of Harradine’s deco beauties.
The example illustrated is coming up at Lion and Unicorn auctions and the model is clearly dated 1924 with a model number 211.
Of the many seriesware designs produced from the late 19th and well into the 20th centuries, Into the Land of Dreams certainly counts as being one of the rarest for collectors to build a collection.
Toilet set recently sold at Sworders in the UK.
Produced between 1919 and withdrawn by 1932 few pieces have surfaced over the years and (if one can use the term) typically, it is wash sets that do turn up.
In Louise’s Volume 3 of Royal Doulton Series Ware, she lists 6 scenes for us to watch out for. Items found have been marked with either D4114 or D4484.
Toothbrush holder featuring scenes 5&6 as listed in RD Series Ware Vol.3.
The title for the design is taken from a poem by Stoddard King, which was popularised as a song during WWI.
Joining us this Sunday at our event at the World of Wedgwood is Michael Doulton, who is the fifth-generation descendant of John Doulton, who founded the Royal Doulton company in 1815. He is often a guest at our special events and is always willing to share his vast knowledge on all things Royal Doulton as well as answering collectors’ questions!
French Chest with a Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, Moreton-in-Marsh. 2nd July 2021
An item of antique furniture by one of the leading cabinet makers of 18th Century France is coming up for auction on 10th July. The chest of drawers, or to use the correct term ‘commode’ was made during the third quarter of the 18th Century by German born master cabinet maker (ebeniste) Jean Francois-Oeben. Oeben is credited with pioneering the ‘commode a la greque’ in question. As the name suggests the cabinet takes its inspiration from ancient Greece and comprises a breakfront white veined marble top over a mahogany base with triple frieze drawers above two long drawers all with internal bright cut engraved gilt locks and standing on elegant cabriole. Ormolu mounts and handles adorn the exterior. J. F. Oeben’s stamp appears on the upper part of the carcass. This distinctive form of commode was almost exclusively supplied by les freres Oeben to two clients, the duc de Choiseul and Madame de Pompadour, the latter being Oeben’s most important client. In an inventory drawn up following her death in 1764, no less than seventeen commodes a la greque, all supplied by Oeben between 1761-1763 for the Chateaux de Versailles, Auvilliers and Menars. The importance of Madame de Pompadour’s patronage in the creation of this form of furniture is furthermore underlined by the inventory taken following Oeben’s own demise in 1763. Consigned by a Yorkshire based private client who acquired the piece in the 1980’s, it carries a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-30,000 in Cotswold auctioneers Kinghams on 10th July. For further information, please contact Adian Rathbone at Kinghams Auctioneers of 01608 695695 or email adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com
Charles Noke continued to experiment with glazes long after the departure of Cuthbert Bailey with whom he had perfected the Flambé glaze in the early 1900’s. And so in 1920 Sung was introduced, whereby painted decoration, colour and gilt are fused with the a flambé glaze.
However, it is in the flesh that these pieces must be enjoyed to full effect as in this slide. Vases, large and small were decorated with exotic birds, pixies in woodlands, fish in seascapes along with many other subjects. These pieces were painted principally by Harry Nixon, Arthur Eaton and Fred Moore. Sung glazes can be found on Buddhas, as seen here in this advert from the 1920’s, a handful of suitable early figures from the HN range such as A Spook as well as animals, in particular elephants, a favourite of Charles Noke.
Friday & Saturday 11th – 12th June Day One lots 1-274; Day Two lots 275-468. Auction begins 11am
Viewing Dates and Times (by appointment): Wednesday 9th May 10.00 – 17.00 Thursday 10th May 10.00 – 19.00 Friday 11th May 09.00 – 11.00
If you would like to bid you can leave commission bids, book a telephone line, or access the auction via one of five online bidding platforms below. Room bidding will also be available subject to registration. Detailed condition reports are available on request.
We provide a worldwide shipping service, if you have any questions or need to speak to a member of staff please call +44(0)1608 695695 or email enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com. We are open for collection by appointment from Monday 17th May at 10-12 Cotswold Business Village, London Road, Morton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ.
A Love of Lustre – The Anthony J. Cross Collection By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, 10-12 Cotswold Business Village, London Rd, Moreton in Marsh. GL56 0JQ. 24th May 2021
Fresh from our good friends at Kinghams:
Cotswold Auctioneers, Kinghams are proud to announce they have been appointed to handle the most comprehensive and important collection of British art pottery built up over a fifty-year period. The sale of The Anthony J. Cross Collection of art pottery takes place on 11th/12th June at their Moreton in Marsh Auction Centre. Anthony’s fascination with ceramics began at a young age when his first purchase was a small Royal Worcester floral jug for £12.50. This modest purchase and after reading up on the subject, set him on a lifelong journey of collecting ceramics. From the outset he fell in love with the wondrous lustre wares of Pilkingtons. He widened the spectrum by learning about and acquiring examples of other notable makers such as Christopher Dresser, William De Morgan, Doulton and Bernard Moore. Encouraged by the eminent authority Richard Dennis OBE, Anthony made the decision that his collection would not be complete without key examples by the most revered and celebrated designers/potters. The 468 Lot auction showcases a rich and eclectic range of late 19th and early 20th Century British art pottery which will be auctioned over two days. Day one, (11th June) will open with examples of designs by Dr Christopher Dresser for Minton, Linthorpe and Ault, followed by tiles and hollowares by Della Robia and William De Morgan. Ruskin pottery and Bernard Moore wares are followed by an array of examples from the Doulton factory including works by noted designers the Barlow sisters, Charles Noke and George Tinworth to name a few. Examples by the highly sought-after Martin Brothers factory come in the form of a number of jardinieres, typical bird and other sculptural figures. Moorcroft from the Art Nouveau heyday to later and rare flambe pieces are also well represented. Day two, (12th June) will offer impressive glasswares by designers and glass houses such as Tiffany, Loetz and Rene Lalique. Pilkington is where Anthony’s true passion lies and it is here where one of the most important collections arrives on the open market, with many museum quality pieces on offer. The Pilkington factory was established in 1892 in Lancashire and employed many leading designers of the day, including Charles Voysey, Gordon Forsyth, Richard Joyce and William S. Mycock. The celebrated lustre wares were developed from 1906 and King George V granted the factory a Royal Warrant in 1913 with the firm being fashioned Pilkington’s Royal Lancastrian Pottery Company. On offer are numerous vases of varying shapes and sizes, chargers and tiles with pre-sale estimates ranging from £200 to £20,000. Of particular note is Lot 431, a 30cm high lustre jar and cover by Richard Joce from 1924, (estimate £3,000-5,000) and Lot 434, a lustre alms dish also by Richard Joyce and dating from 1909, (estimate £2,000-4,000). The most important piece in the auction is Lot 436, a 53cm high Gordon Forsyth lustre vase dating from 1908. Moulded in relief with St George on horseback lancing a dragon with a maiden to the side, the vase incorporates an exuberant bronze and red iridescent glaze and is inscribed ‘St George for England’. With pedigree provenance, it was exhibited at the 1908 Franco British Exhibition to much admiration and only two examples are known to have been produced. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-30,000. Viewing will take place on Wednesday 9th June from 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10th June 10am to 7pm and auction days from 9am to 11am with the auction commencing at 11am on each day. The fully illustrated printed catalogue can be purchased (£18 by post) or viewed online at www.kinghamsauctioneers.com. Live internet bidding across four different platforms, absentee and phone bids can be arranged. For further information, please contact George Kingham on 01608 695695 or email enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com
Illustrated from left to right. Lot 434: Gordon Forsyth Pilkington lustre alms dish. Est £2,000-4,000 Lot 38: A William De Morgan Persian double swan vase, circa 1892. Est £3,000-5,000 Lot 436: Gordon Forsyth of Pilkington, an exhibition relief moulded St George vase. Est £20,000-30,000 Lot 112: George Tinworth for Doulton Lambeth, mouse group – The Cockneys at Brighton, 1886. Est £2,000-4,000 Lot 2: Christopher Dresser for Minton, pair of butterfly vases, 1870. Est £800-1,200
Kind Regards Adrian Rathbone BA(Hons) Fine Arts ValuationAssociate Director Kinghams Auctioneers & Valuers10-12 Cotswold Business VillageLondon RoadMoreton in MarshGloucestershireGL56 0JQ Saleroom: 01608 695695 Mobile: 07843 061921 www.kinghamsauctioneers.com
Please Note: My working hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm. I am based at the Moreton saleroom usually three days a week and these will vary.
Collectors of Royal Doulton’s world famous figurines are aware of the many sources that inspired figures from stars of the theatre, to calendar and card designs published by the likes of Raphael Tuck & sons.
However, one particular star of Royal Doulton’s HN range was inspired by the great actress Vivien Leigh in her role in the legendary film Gone with the Wind in which she played Scarlett O’Hare.
Here you can see a press cutting along with an early dated version of Easter Day from 1943; incidentally two years after she was originally modelled. Also in the picture is a very similar looking prototype from 1942 that I display along side the large size figure.
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