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.
Antique English Hand Painted Service Plates Set of Eight
By Tiffany & Co., Copeland Spode
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A set of eight hand painted English service dinner plates by Copeland Spode, made for Tiffany & Co., NYC. Each one hand painted with a basket of fruit and leaves signed by the artist...
Porcelain
Set of 11 English Porcelain Plates, Royal Worcester, circa 1890
Located in New York, NY
Each plate painted by S. Stanley, after paintings by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Le Brun, Romney. The paintings titles and their artists are inscribed on the verso of each plate.
Porcelain
$3,363 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 9.06 in
12 Dessert Plates different pattern "Le Parisien" by Creil & Montereau 1876-1886
By Creil et Montereau
Located in Paris, FR
Dessert set for 12 people "Le Parisien" by Creil & montereau. 12 different exquisite scenes of children playing with fruits. It is stamped on the back with Creil & Montereau marks and Le Parisien identification. Le Parisien is the story of a little boy discovering country life, designed by the French artist and painter Antoine-Albert Richard (1845-1921) named "Froment-Richard". He designed several sets for the French Creil & Montereau manufacture, but "Le Parisien" is the most famous with a brown rim enhanced with groups of three petals and ex. The dinner set depicts a fantastic and humorous universe. Wonderfully decorated all the characters' clothes are exquisitely detailed, they play with vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. Dessert plate patterns : 1. Grapes 2. Flower and angels 3. Cassis 4. Blackberries 5. Heart plate...
Ceramic, Faience
Set of 12 English Porcelain Dinner Plates, Royal Doulton, circa 1900
By Royal Doulton
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 English porcelain dinner plates, Royal Doulton, circa 1900.
Porcelain
$2,500 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.625 in
Set of 12 Royal Worcester Hand-Painted Gilded Plates, Signed E. Phillips, 1926
By Royal Worcester
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional set of twelve hand-painted cabinet plates by Royal Worcester, England, dated 1926 and each signed by the artist E. Phillips. These plates exemplify the height of early...
Porcelain
$395 / set
H 1 in Dm 6 in
Set of ten French porcelain plates by Creil et Montereau, dating to the mid-19th
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Set of ten French porcelain plates by Creil et Montereau, dating to the mid-19th century and featuring transfer-printed scenes with hand-coloring. Each plate is framed with a border ...
Ceramic
Impressive set of 12 Sevres style porcelain plates, circa 1890
By Cristalleries De Sevres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite set of 12 late 19th-century Sevres-style porcelain plates showcases intricate craftsmanship and vibrant artistry. Each plate features charming scenes of daily life, de...
Porcelain
Royal Doulton Luncheon Plates, Set of 14
By Royal Doulton
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming set of 14 Royal Doulton hand painted luncheon plates that date to the early 20th century. The scolloped rims of the plates are decorated with a beautiful hand-pain...
Porcelain
$1,995 / set
H 0.94 in Dm 10.5 in
J.E. Caldwell & Co. Spode Copeland Hand Painted, Signed Set Of 10 Dinner Plates
By Copeland Spode
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique set of 10 hand painted English Spode Copeland's artist signed, M. Edge, dinner plates depicting peaches, plums, cherries, nuts, grapes, lemons and exotic fruit with shap...
Porcelain
$560 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.88 in
Bing & Grøndahl, a set of eleven porcelain plates with H. C. Andersen motifs.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bing & Grøndahl, a set of eleven porcelain plates with H. C. Andersen motifs. Based on drawings by Vilhelm Pedersen. With a hanger on the back. 1970s. Marked. Perfect condition. Fir...
Porcelain
19th Century Wedgwood Creamware "Punch" Decorated Platter or Tray
By Wedgwood
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This large creamware tray or platter is made by Wedgwood depicting everything "Punch". Transfer outlines of whimsical 19th century characters are hand-painted in polychrome enamels w...
Creamware
Set of Nine Minton 19th Century Hand-Painted Dessert Plates, Antonin Boullemier
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This amazing set of nine Mintons, 19th century cabinet plates depicting young nymphs in fanciful, bucolic settings are beautifully and realistically painted on a soft aqua background...
Porcelain
12 Royal Worcester Hand-Painted Dessert Plates with Fruit Artist Signed Hummel
By Royal Worcester
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 Royal Worcester dessert plates depicting central decoration of various fruits are all hand colored and signed by the artist. The...
Porcelain
Set of 11 Royal Worcester Aesthetic Movement Dessert Plates Signed E. Raby
By Royal Worcester
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and spectacular set of 11 19th c Royal Worcester dessert cabinet plates, hand painted and signed by the renowned Edward Raby. He was con...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Royal Doulton Scenic Hand-Painted Artist Signed Garden Plates W/ Gold
By Royal Doulton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 Royal Doulton dinner or cabinet plates is hand-painted with landscape and garden scenes in a bright vibrant palette. Each unique plate has the garden (Dingley Park, Dr...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Cauldon Hand-Painted "Flower Arrangement" Dessert Plates, Cobalt Blue
By Brown, Westhead & Moore/Cauldon
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A decorative and beautifully hand-painted set of 12 Cauldon dessert plates with shaped rims trimmed in gold with central floral decoration. Each plate depicts a unique flower arrange...
Porcelain
