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History -
Designers -
Dating & Backstamps
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Royal Doulton Figurine Designers |
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Until recent times, there have been surprisingly few designers responsible for
Royal Doulton's HN figure range. The first collection of figures launched in 1913 was the
work of 5 designers plus Charles Noke. This elite group had been carefully selected by Noke
and all were well-established artists in their own right. Unfortunately, with the exception
of Noke, their contribution to the collection was relatively short-lived. Only Darling
(HN 1319), designed by Charles Vyse, has stood the commercial test of time. However, from
the late 1920s until the 1950s, virtually all the new introductions to the range were the
work of one man, Leslie Harradine. In the post war years, the pretty ladies and prestige
models of Peggy Davies reigned supreme together with the strong character studies created
by Mary Nicholl. During Eric Griffiths' time as Director of Ceramic Sculpture, it was decided
that in order to secure the future success of the collection, the design team should be
considerably expanded. This policy continues today under the leadership of Amanda Dickson
with a team of designers who have each developed their own styles and specialties.
The current collection is therefore made up of a number of artists' work, rather
than being the showcase for one or two designers. To do justice to the lives and work of
the talented people who have contributed models to the HN collection would take more space
than is available here. However, a little background knowledge of some key designers is
helpful to the figurine enthusiast. What follows are brief biographies of some of the major
contributors.
Charles Noke
Charles Noke was born in Worcester. From a remarkably early age he wanted to
be a ceramic modeller, and during school holidays he often visited the local Worcester China
factory to watch the artists at work. In 1874, at the age of 16, Noke joined the company.
He was to stay at Worcester until 1889, when he moved to the Doulton-Burslem Studio. His
work had reached the attention of John Slater, the Art Director at Burslem, who invited
him to move to the Burslem Studio. At first, Noke was employed on modelling prestige pieces
for the various international exhibitions of the time. His gift for modelling figures soon
became apparent, although initially the figures were incorporated into the large and imposing
vases that were produced as centre pieces for the exhibitions. At the Chicago Exhibition
of 1893, a few free-standing figures modelled by Noke were shown but very little attention
was drawn to them. In the next few years more of his figures were added to the range. In
general, these were larger than the later HN series models and decorated in a much more
muted and restricted palette.
 Around 1909, Noke turned his
attention to reviving the tradition of figure-making in Staffordshire. This culminated with
the launch of the HN Collection in 1913. Of the models designed by Noke, many reflect the
interests of the man. From his photographs it is hard to imagine that Noke had a passion
for the theatre, but this interest manifested itself in the HN collection with such models
as Doris Keane as Cavallini (HN 90 and HN 96), Ellen Terry as Queen
Catherine (HN 379), and Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey (HN 344).
Noke was also fascinated by jesters and these too appeared in the HN collection. In fact,
Jester (HN 2016) is still available today.
Perhaps Noke's delight in the works of Charles Dickens was to have the greatest
influence on his choice of subjects for Doulton's various ranges. Tony Weller
(HN 346), the earliest Dickens character in the HN collection, was designed by him, as were
the majority of the many "eastern" subjects that were a feature of the early years
of the collection.
The threads of Noke's many and varied interests can be traced through the pre-war
HN collection, but it is not just figure production that was to be influenced. Noke's fertile
mind was responsible for the introduction of Series wares, character jugs, Kingsware, and
the myriad of special glazes developed at Burslem. Throughout all these ranges, similar
subjects are to be found reflecting the interests and tastes of Noke.
Charles spent the rest of his life working at Doulton, being succeeded as Art
Director by his son, Cecil Jack Noke. He died in 1941 at age 83.
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Leslie Harradine
 If Charles Noke
was responsible for the revival of figure making at Burslem, it was Leslie Harradine who
caught the public's taste in figurines and ensured the success of the collection. Arthur
Leslie Harradine was born in 1887. In 1902, at age 15, he joined the Doulton-Lambeth Studio
where he worked at various times under the guidance of such Lambeth luminaries as George
Tinworth, John Broad and Mark Marshall. Nevertheless, Harradine spent more time than he
liked designing pots for reproduction, rather than on ceramic sculptures. Despite this feeling,
he did produce a series of salt-glazed spirit flasks and a number of figures, including
a set of characters taken from the works of Charles Dickens. These figures attracted the
attention of Charles Noke.
At the end of 1912, Harradine abruptly left the urban confines of Lambeth for
the wide open spaces of Canada. With his brother, Percy, Harradine acquired 4,000 acres
of farming land in Saskatchewan. The self-sufficient lifestyle suited the brothers. Leslie
continued to make models but was unable to fire them successfully. The outbreak of the First
World War signalled the end of the Harradine brothers rural ideal, at least for Leslie.
By 1916, both had enlisted in Lord Strachcona's Horse Regiment and had seen action in France.
Leslie had two horses shot from under him. On the second occasion, the horse fell on him
badly injuring one of his legs, resulting in long spells in hospital. By the time the peace
was signed, Harradine was married and had a child. The privations of his life in Canada
were thought to be unsuitable for his young family and Leslie sold his share in the Canadian
farm to his brother. His intention was now to stay in Britain and establish his own studio
and work as an independent artist.
 Charles Noke, hearing
of Harradine's return, contacted him with the intention of having him join the Burslem Studio.
Despite Noke's entreaties, Harradine refused to be tied to the restrictions of Burslem.
His alternative suggestion was that he would model some figures at his studio and send them
to Burslem to see if they could be produced in bone china. The models were indeed suitable
for reproduction and an association between Leslie Harradine and Royal Doulton Burslem began,
which was to last for almost 40 years. The fruitful partnership produced some of the most
commercially successful figurines ever made. The Old Balloon Seller (HN 1315),
Top O' The Hill (HN 1834) or Autumn Breezes (HN 1911) were all
created by Harradine at his studio and sent to Burslem. He was equally at home designing
child studies, robust character models, alluring Art Deco ladies, and archetypal crinoline
ladies, which were to become synonymous with Royal Doulton. The quality of his modelling
remained constant despite the sheer volume of his output. Leslie Harradine died in Gibraltar
in 1965.
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Peggy Davies
Margaret May Davies, aka Peggy, was born in Burslem in the heart of the Potteries.
Her childhood was dominated by illness. To be exact, bovine tuberculosis caused by unpasteurized
milk. Peggy spent more of her time in a series of hospitals and convalescent homes than
at school. It was during one of her hospital stays that her artistic skills were discovered.
Her detailed drawing of a mermaid caused quite a stir amongst the staff who were more used
to childish doodles.
 When she eventually returned
to school, she was way behind her classmates. However, an enlightened teacher encouraged
Peggy's artistic learnings rather than pushing her to catch up academically with her classmates.
Still a delicate child, Peggy was sent to live with her grandparents who could better look
after her. Her grandfather was an engineer at a pot bank and the young Peggy was soon well-acquainted
with the world of the potteries. At 12 years old, she won a scholarship to the Burslem College
of Art, but the circumstances of her family meant that Peggy had to earn some money while
still attending the College on a part-time basis. She became assistant to Clarice Cliff.
Peggy first worked at Royal Doulton's Burslem Studio in 1939. She was engaged
as an assistant to Charles Noke. This association was not to last long.
Her studio was destroyed by a bomb and Peggy decided she could be more use to the war effort
by becoming a nurse. After the war, Peggy did not return to the Doulton-Burslem Studio.
She became an independent artist, but secured a contract with Royal Doulton to provide figures
for the HN collection. Her particular style of pretty lady figures became a firm favorite
with the collectors all over the world. It should be remembered that she also produced a
limited number of character studies.
As far as her many fans were concerned, Peggy "retired" far too soon.
Judging from her comments, her working relationship with Eric Griffiths,
the new Head of Ceramic Sculpture, was not an easy one and this may have contributed to
her decision to leave Royal Doulton and concentrate on her own pottery. Sadly, Peggy died
in 1989 but the legacy of her work and the delight her figures bring to collectors lives
on, as indeed does the Peggy Davies Studio, which still thrives under the direction of her son.
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Mary Nicholl
If Peggy Davies was the doyen of Royal Doulton pretty
lady designs, then Mary Nicholl certainly held the same position when it came to character
figures.
 Like Peggy Davies, Mary
Nicholl's artistic talents came to light at an early age, her first commission coming when
she was only 12 years old. Her father, Gordon Nicholl, was a well-known painter. He encouraged
Mary's talent and supervised her artistic education. It was also thanks to him that Mary's
modelling skills were brought to the attention of Royal Doulton. Gordon Nicholl had provided
illustrations for two books written by Desmond Eyles. The two men became friends and one
day Gordon Nicholl showed Desmond some terracotta figures to see if he thought they might
be of interest to Royal Doulton. The figures were the work of his daughter, Mary. Desmond
Eyles, while having reservations as to their suitability, was sufficiently impressed to
arrange for Mary to travel from her West country home to Burslem to meet Jack Noke, the
Art Director at Burslem. Desmond's reservations proved correct. Jack Noke considered the
style of Mary's figures unsuitable for reproduction in bone china or earthenware, but was
impressed with her undoubted modelling talents. It was arranged for her to spend some time
at Burslem to study the techniques and style that were required for Royal Doulton figures.
Mary was able to adapt her style and another successful and fruitful collaboration began.
Mary Nicholl died in 1974 at the early age of 52, but in common with Peggy Davies,
her creations live on in collections all over the world. She is perhaps best known for her
seafaring characters, which still bring a salty tang of her Devonshire home wherever in
the world they might be.
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Eric Griffiths
 Eric Griffiths spent his
childhood in North Wales. An accident, which nearly killed him, ultimately led him into
his future career. In common with Peggy Davies, it was during a long
period of convalescence that his artistic skills surfaced. More formal training was courtesy
of the Shrewsbury Art School and Wolverhampton Art College. After a rather abortive attempt
to earn his living as a portrait painter, Eric put his modelling talents to good use and
began a career as a sculptor in industry. Before being appointed Director of Sculpture at
Royal Doulton, he worked in a varied selection of industries ranging from toy soldiers to
tractors.
Apart from his brief to expand Royal Doulton's pool of modelling talent, Eric
also contributed a number of models to the HN collection. Notable are the Royal Family portrait
figures as well as designs for the Haute Ensemble, Images and Reflections
series, which illustrate his innovative stylized approach to Doulton figures. Eric retired
at the end of 1990.
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Douglas Tootle
 Douglas Tootle is another artist
who was trained at the Burslem School of Art. He joined Royal Doulton in the late 1960s
as a modeller. His first figures to be added to the HN collection were launched in 1973.
Among these was the dramatic and different Masque (HN 2554). Douglas left
Royal Doulton in 1974 to pursue a freelance career. However, a collection of figures modelled
by Douglas but inspired by Leslie Harradine's figures of the 1930s
was issued in the 1980s. He has also contributed figures for the Images and Reflection
ranges, but his most spectacular models must be the large scale Columbine
(HN 2738) and Harlequin (HN 2737) figures, which were introduced in 1982 with
an alternative colorway being issued in 1993.
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William Harper
 William Harper joined Royal
Doulton as a freelance modeller in 1973. He had previously worked as a designer with a number
of other ceramic companies including Wade. At Royal Doulton, character studies became his
forte. A number of his figures followed on smoothly from the styles and themes set by Mary
Nicholl, but are indisputedly in William's own style. He is also responsible for the
London series and portrait figures of Charlie Chaplin (HN 2771) and
Groucho Marx (HN 2777).
A friendly, charming man, William often attends Doulton Fairs and collectors
meetings where he delights in talking to collectors about his figures and the stories behind them.
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Robert Jefferson
 Robert Jefferson is another
freelance modeller who began working with Royal Doulton in the early 1970s. Robert had previously
enjoyed a career as a tableware designer. His first figure for the HN collection was the
very distinctive Harmony (HN 2824). Subsequently, his considerable talents
have been put to good use in creating many of the prestige limited edition series such as
Les Saisons and The Great Lovers, as well as stylish models for the Images
and the Reflection series.
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Pauline Parsons
 A sculpture graduate from the Manchester
School of Art, Pauline Parsons first approached Royal Doulton in 1977 with a view to modelling
character models for the HN collection. Her first figure to be issued was The Lawyer
(HN 3041). However, she eventually turned her attention to pretty lady figures, contributing
several to the Vanity Fair range. Perhaps her most famous figure is Sleepy
Darling (HN 2953), the first figure to be commissioned solely for members of the
Royal Doulton International Collectors Club. More recently, her historical style limited
edition figures such as The Queens of the Realm and The Tudor Princesses have
found favor with collectors.
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Peter Gee
 Peter applied for a job as caster
at the Royal Crown Derby factory. At his interview, some clay models he brought with him
caused a considerable amount of interest. The interest was transformed into an apprenticeship
and Peter's first figure, Rachel (HN 2919), was introduced in 1981. Since
then, Peter has demonstrated his versatility by modelling a wide range of figures ranging
from The Balloon Boy (HN 2934) to the Reynolds Ladies and Gainsborough
Ladies by way of Isadora (HN 2938) and probably the most popular of the
Figures of the Year, Amy (HN 3316).
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Robert Tabbenor
 Robert Tabbenor always wanted
an artistic career and although he is a native of Stoke-on-Trent, before joining Royal Doulton
he had no experience in the pottery industry. The idea of sculpture fascinated him and under
the guidance of Eric Griffiths, his talent flourished. His first
figure was introduced in 1982. He had modelled several character figures as Royal Doulton
International Collectors Club exclusives, as well as child studies and several Images
figures. Robert also worked on experimental projects at the factory and is now Studio Head.
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Adrian Hughes
 Adrian Hughes taught at the
Derby College of Art and in several schools before opening his own design studio. He joined
Royal Doulton as a freelance modeller in 1982. His versatility has been demonstrated with
a wide range of figures, which includes virtually every type of figure to be found in the
HN collection.
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Nada Pedley
 Nada Pedley is another freelance
modeller whose style has made its mark on the HN collection. She studied art in evening
classes in Germany and England. Modelling started as a hobby but soon became her primary
interest. Her first Royal Doulton figure was Bunny's Bedtime (HN 3370), which
was once again an exclusive offer to members of the Royal Doulton International Collectors
Club. She has now contributed many child studies and pretty lady figures for the collection
in her own distinctive style.
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Alan Maslankowski
 It was Alan Maslankowski's mother
who encouraged his interest in modelling. At age 15, recognizing his future potential, Royal
Doulton sent him to art school for 5 years. Even during this period, Alan produced several
animal models that were accepted for production. After leaving art school, Alan worked for
a time at the John Beswick Studio. He then left to pursue a freelance career, but did not
entirely sever his connections with Royal Doulton. In 1990, Alan returned to Royal Doulton
as a resident artist. His figures include The Wizard (HN 2877), Napolean
at Waterloo (HN 3429) and a number of child studies.
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Valerie Annand
 Valerie has developed a very
particular style of Royal Doulton figures. Her ladies are a fantasy of frills and movement,
attributes well-loved by many collectors. Unlike her formally trained colleagues, Glasgow-born
Valerie is a self taught artist who came to figure modelling by way of designing greeting
cards. Her flowing designs are to be found in both the standard collection and in various
limited edition series such as The British Sporting Heritage and the 1996 Figure
of the Year, Belle (HN 3703).
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