Royal Doulton
May 29th, 2008 | By Lisa | Category: HousewaresRoyal Doulton has been producing ceramics and tableware for over 200 years.
As far back as 1815 the company founder, John Doulton, began producing practical and decorative stoneware from a small pottery in Lambeth, South London.
His son, Henry Doulton, built up the business, relocating it 60 years later to Stoke-on-Trent. The business introduced new techniques and produced bone china from 1884. The ideas and inspiration of key individuals like George Tinworth, John Slater and Charles J Noke built its reputation in figurines, vases, and decorative pieces.
By 1901 the quality of Doulton’s tableware had caught the eye of King Edward VII, who permitted the company to prefix its name with “Royal” and the company was awarded the Royal Warrant.
The classic English name of Royal Doulton had been created.
From the 1920’s onwards, the name Royal Doulton became synonymous with the finest English china across the world. Innovation and inspiration were key to its growth, whether that be flambé ware, titanian ware, or bone china.
Royal Doulton launched its definitive and highly collectable HN Series of Pretty Lady figurines in 1913 which quickly caught the public imagination. Under Charles Noke, Royal Doulton bought its fine artistry to ceramic character jugs, still highly collectable and sought after today. In 1934, Sister Mary Barbara Vernon, the daughter of the factory manager, drew the first Bunnykins character and instantly charmed all who saw it. The Bunnykins Collection still continues today.
In 1960 Royal Doulton introduced a new product — English Translucent China (ETC), which is now better known as Fine China. The company was awarded the Queen’s award for Technical Achievement in 1966, for its contribution to china manufacturing — the first china manufacturer to be honoured with this award.
Today, Royal Doulton provides a wide range of domestic tableware manufactured in bone china and fine china.
Proud of its manufacturing history and reputation for supplying high quality items, Royal Doulton has now extended its range to crystal, glass and gifts for all occasions.
These items are produced to the same high quality standards from the most advanced factories in England and the world.
This attention to detail combined with a rich design heritage have established Royal Doulton as a world class manufacturer of premium ceramics and glass.
