Beswick figurines

Beswick Pottery began as a manufacturer of  tablewares in Staffordshire, England, in 1894. It produced its first animal figurines around 1900 and by 1930 they had bacome a major part in the factory’s output. In 1969, Beswick was sold to Royal Doulton but various pottery items, including figurines, continued to be sold under the name ‘Beswick’. In 1989, production of Beswick and Doulton animals merged under the Royal Doulton mark. The name ‘Beswick’ was used again from 1999 until the factory closed in 2002. 

Budgerigars are popular pets and models are keenly collected. Rare pieces may fetch the price £800 - 1,200

Royal Doulton Bunnykins figures by Christopher Proudlove

Ever eager to keep these columns current, I felt compelled to find something to do with Easter. Inspiration came following a local auction sale in which this trio of pottery Bunnykins figures were offered. In the event, they were knocked down for a staggering total of £2,810. If nothing else, the sale proved there is no upper limit to the prices some hard-bitten collectors are prepared to pay for Royal Doulton rarities.

The bunny rabbit, whose propensity for breeding is legendary, has long served as a fertility symbol for the Spring. Bunnykins figures came from the fertile imagination of a young woman whose father, Cuthbert Bailey, happened to be the managing director of Royal Doulton. As a child, Barbara Vernon Bailey had filled sketchbooks with drawings of the countryside, and of the animals kept by her four brothers and two sisters including pigs, cows, horses and ferrets, as well as the more cuddly dogs, cats and guinea-pigs. But it was the wild rabbits, brought to life by her father’s exciting and sometimes frightening bedtime stories, that really delighted her. When, in 1934, Cuthbert Bailey hit on a new line of children’s nurseryware, he turned to Barbara for illustrations rather than a professional artist.

The object of the day: A Royal Doulton Piscatorial plate

A rare, finely painted Royal Doulton cabinet plate depicting a pair of Salmon among water weed within a fine gilt rim band, with a further gilt band to the base rim.

Artwork Signed C.Holloway and bearing Robert Allen studio marks for c1927.
Auction Estimate Sept. 2009: 150 to 200 (GBP)

In 1901, the popularity of Doulton products came to the attention of the Royal family and the Burslem factory was granted the Royal Warrant by King Edward VII. The business adopted bold new markings and the new name of Royal Doulton.