Rare treat for Royal Doulton collectors

MORE than 500 Royal Doulton figurines will go on sale when one of the largest South African private collections of these British ceramics is presented at the Pascoe Ceramics event at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton from Friday to Sunday.

The collection was built up over 15 years by a local Royal Doulton enthusiast who bought pieces locally and in Britain.

Figurines include colourful characters such as London street sellers with flowers and balloons, “old salts” from British maritime history and a rare Molly Malone, wheeling her wheelbarrow full of cockles and mussels down Dublin’s streets broad and narrow. The Molly Malone is now worth R90 000.

The Royal Doulton Company was formed out of a stoneware-making partnership that began in 1815. It created decorative dinnerware, cookware, porcelain, glassware and other collectables.

Ed Pascoe, who specialises in tracking down Royal Doulton items, said Pretty Lady figurines had been a speciality of the company since the HN collection was launched 100 years ago. He said the designs of Leslie Harradine, who created something of a ceramic catwalk from the 1920s and 1930s, were particularly sought after.

Porcelain “supermodels” in the collection for sale include Georgian beauties such as Antoinette, now valued at R30 000, and flappers from the Art Deco era such as Dulcinea, priced today at R50 000.

Clownette at R95 000 and Mask at R50 000 are two of the jazz-age revellers from the masquerade balls of the 1920s. They are among the market’s rarest Royal Doulton figurines.

The earliest figurine in the collection is Darling HN1, dating from 1913. It was named by Queen Mary during her visit to the Royal Doulton factory in that year.

This study of a child in a nightgown inspired more figurines of children in the HN collection. One of the rarest in this collection is Shy Anne, valued at R90 000.

There are starter collection pieces available for under R1 000.

The rarity values of Royal Doulton figurines are determined by factors including aesthetic appeal, length of production period and condition. Pascoe said it was generally true that the earlier the piece and the shorter the production period, the more desirable it was on the secondary market.

The event is open on Friday from 5pm to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Admission and parking are free. Reservations for a one-day Royal Doulton seminar on Saturday from 10am to 6pm can be made through Giuli Osso at giuli@gocomms.co.za or 083-377-6721. — Brendan Peacock