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The Perennial Popularity of Royal Doulton Figures

Debbie Porter

We sell many different Royal Doulton figurines at auction, here at Potteries Auctions with some models commanding huge prices at auction, and others much more modest sums.

Royal Doulton is well-known for a wide range of figurines that are highly collectable around the world, making these an excellent investment for resale eventually at auction. Find out more about which pieces are likely to fetch a handsome price.

In the 1880s Royal Doulton started to produce figures at its Lambeth factory in London. They eventually brought production of their highly collectable figurines to their Burslem factory in the early 1900s, where they started the HN range of figures with a team of talented designers headed by Harry Nixon, under the guidance of Charles Noke.

Lot 271 - A Royal Doulton Matilda figure and Lot 272 - A Royal Doulton Eleanor of Provence figure, both sold at auction by Potteries Auctions

Lot 271 – A Royal Doulton Matilda Figure HN 2011, sold for £55, and Lot 272 – A Royal Doulton Eleanor of Provence Figure HN 2009, sold for £60, both sold at our Rare 20th Century British Pottery & Antique Auction in March 2019.

Many famous designers contributed to a collection of HN models that are in excess of 5,000 different figurines. Under Harry Nixon designers Charles VysePheobe StablerCJ NokeW WhiteEW LightH TittensorLeslie HarradinePeggy DaviesTim PottsAlan MaslankowskiWilliam Harper and Robert Tabbennor were just a few of the famous names that worked on this huge collection of figurines during this period.

HN1 was the first ever HN figure and was called Darling, a name given to the piece by Queen Mary in 1931 whilst she was on a visit to the Nile Street factory. She reportedly exclaimed, “Oh, isn’t he a Darling!” and the name stuck.

Lot 573 - Royal Doulton figures The Bride HN1600, Darling HN1319 and Sonia HN1692, sold for £50 by Potteries Auctions

Lot 573 – Royal Doulton figures The Bride HN1600, Darling HN1319 and Sonia HN1692, sold for £50 at our Auction of 20th Century British Pottery, collectors items, & furniture in December 2019.

The art deco figures produced during 1920s have become some of the most sought after examples with high prices always achieved for examples such as Sunshine Girl HN1348, Irish Colleen HN767 and Lady Jester HN1222.  Often these figures were so popular they produced them in various other colourways with different HN numbers and so is something to guide you if you think you have a piece of value in your possession.

Lot 220 – A Royal Doulton Sunshine Girl figure HN4245, sold for £280, and Lot 353 – A Royal Doulton prototype colourway Sunshine Girl figure, sold for £120. Bold items sold by Potteries Auctions.

Lot 220 – A Royal Doulton Sunshine Girl figure HN4245, sold for £280 at our Rare 20th Century British Pottery & Antique Auction in March 2019, and Lot 353 – A Royal Doulton prototype colourway Sunshine Girl figure, sold for £120 at our Antique, Rare Pottery and Fine Art Sale in July 2018.

Selling Royal Daulton at Auction

If you have Royal Daulton pieces you’re looking to sell, their pieces consistently perform well at auction and our staff is well-placed to provide valuations and advice on selling your items. Call 01782 638100 or emailenquiries@potteriesauctions.com to book a valuation appointment to attend one of our Tuesday valuation days. We also provide valuations via WhatsApp, simply send some clear photographs of your items via the app to 07864 667940. Additionally, we can send you links to our catalogues via WhatsApp–message the above number via the app and ask to receive our catalogues. Make sure you are subscribed to our email newsletters, too!