Some years ago I acquired this beautiful tureen. More than a century ago it was part of a larger dinner set. I hope you will learn a bit more about the company and will get some ideas why you should collect Royal Doulton nowadays.

Royal Doulton has been decorating English houses for two centuries.During its existence the company employed many talented artists who contributed to the success of  English Pottery.Royal Doulton is the name of an English ceramic manufacturing company, which was established in London, in 1815.At that time it was not the first porcelain producing company on the English  market.

Such companies like Royal Crown Derby, Royal Worcester, Wedgewood, Spode and Mintons were already well established and known not only in England but also internationally.

Royal Doulton  began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones and John Watts. In 1820 Martha Jones left the partnership and the name was changed to Doulton & Watts.

Since its existence, the company manufactured a wide range of ceramics.

Apart from stoneware articles and salt glaze sewer pipes, products of Royal Doulton included dinner sets, cookware, porcelain, glass items, jewellery, lighting , curtains and other gifts and collectables.

The company produced three main brands: Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Mintons.

After John Watts retirement in 1853 the company was renamed Doulton & Co.In 1871 John’s  son Henry Doulton launched “Lambeth pottery” studio.

They began inviting talented artists – designers to enrich their manufacturing range.

Among them were George Rinworth, Florence, Hannah and Arthur Barlows, Frank Butter, Mark Marchall and Eliza Simmance.
In 1882 Doulton acquired a small factory in Burslem, and moved to Staffordshire – the “heart” of English pottery.
On the 5th of January 2009 Royal Doulton went into administration.
It is now part of WWRD Holdings Ltd.
Some items are being produced in Barlaston, later the production relocated to Indonesia. Recent acquisition by Fiskars Corporation (Finland) included Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Rogaska brands.

While dating Royal Doulton one can pay particular attention to the pattern names, coded dates and numbers or sometimes artists signatures as monograms.

Towards the end of the 19th century (1886-1902) Henry Doulton was appointed a Potter to HRH Prince of Wales. As a result, a Coronet mark appeared  on their mark.
The word “ENGLAND” appeared after 1891.

The Coronet mark was used primarily between 1886-1903 though can still be found on items produced between 1903 and 1915, together with standard print mark.

In 1902  the company received the Royal Warrant by King Edward VII.
As a result a symbol of a Lion Standing on the Crown appeared on their stamp.  After 1928 the mark carries the following words:

BONE CHINA, FINE BONE CHINA OR ENGLISH TRANSLUCENT CHINA.

   They appear on Doulton ware between 1928 and 1973.  Nowadays the stamp contains words FINE ENGLISH CHINA.

In the 21st century, the factory moved on. As a result, Royal Doulton will never be the same. There are even  more reasons to collect its beautiful pieces today.