In the matter of form, the Messrs. Doulton ... leave little to be desired. Many of their vases display a pure, classical gracefulness, and others are possessed of a quaintness and novelty almost equally attractive. Canettes, goblets, and small covered jars decorated with plain or ornamental bands, and dotted with flower-like studs, are to be classed among the best examples of the more characteristic or distinctive style of Lambeth decoration....
The plaques and tiles of Lambeth faience deserve separate notice....
The Messrs. Doulton have achieved some wonderful results in the combination of terra-cotta with their stone-ware. — Jennie Young, p. 372
Introduction
The name of Royal Doulton is today synonymous with the best in fine bone china tableware alongside their crinolined lady figurines. So it's difficult to believe that the company's fortunes were founded upon the making of salt glazed stoneware sewer pipes. It all began shortly after the Battle of Waterloo when in 1815 a young John Doulton set up his own pottery in Fulham at a cost of £100.
Henry Doulton, one of the sons of the founder, was responsible for the diversification from sanitary and other industrial and chemical products. The situation of the pottery close to the Lambeth School of Art prompted Henry [knighted in 1887] to employ several lady students and set up an Art Pottery which grew throughout the 1870's. Since then the company has achieved international fame for its extensive range of wares and products. The Royal Warrant was awarded in 1901 by Edward the Seventh. Possibly the most desirable of all Doulton's products were made at this period of the firm's history - stoneware art pottery.
Doulton collectors understand that when it comes to collecting stonewares it's usually a question of names and size. Important artists to look out for include the great and celebrated Victorian sculptor, George Tinworth, Mark V. Marshall, with his grotesque beasts, and Frank Butler with his high relief work. The most prominent lady artists were the Barlow sisters, Hannah, Florence and Lucy, Hannah being the most famous of the three. Other important artists were Eliza Simmance, John Broad and decorators and designers such as Francis C. Pope, Harry Simeon, Leslie Harradine, Vera Huggins and Agnete Hoy. — Alison Davey of AD Antiques Ltd. (lightly edited here).
Discussions
- Doulton at the Paris Exhibition of 1878
- The Aesthetic Movement, Victorian Ceramics, and the Cult of Japan
Sculpture
- Lilymaid Garden Statue (Gilbert Bayes)
- The Hem of His Garment (George Tinworth)
- The Swimming Bath (George Tinworth)
- King Chess Piece (George Tinworth)
- Pawn Chess Piece (George Tinworth)
- Japanese Man and Woman (John Broad)
Architectural uses
- Southbank House, formerly one of the Doulton Pottery Buildings, Lambeth
- 104-108 South Street, London W1
Memorial Plaques
Painted Tiles
Vases, Jugs, Ewers, and other household objects
- Salt Cellar with heads of Disraeli, Salisbury, and Queen Victoria
- 3 handled Tyg decorated with Pigs (Hannah Barlow)
- Lambeth Jug decorated with a Fox and 5 Rabbits (Hannah Barlow)
- Lambeth Jug decorated with harebells (Hannah Barlow)
- Lidded Ewer with Silver Lid (Hannah Barlow)
- Jug Decorated with a Bird of Prey hunting a Rat (Hannah Barlow)
- Pair of Doulton Lambeth Vases each decorated with 6 Panels of Dogs, Sheep, Pigs, and Goats (Hannah Barlow and Emily Stormer)
- Art Nouveau Vase (Eliza Simmance)
- Pair of Doulton Lambeth Vases each decorated with sea horses (Eliza Simmance)
- The Waning of the Honeymoon (Mark Marshall)
- Chang Vase
- Flambe Vase
- Art Nouveau Vase
- Pair of vases decorated with daisies
Bibliography
"Doulton and Watts." website">Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Web. 19 February 2025. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Doulton_and_Watts
"Doulton Artists." Web. 19 February 2025. https://www.doultonartists.co.uk/
Eyler, Desmond, revised by Louise Irvine. The Doulton Lambeth Wares. Chepton Beauchamp, Somerset: Richard Dennis, 2002. (This has artists' monograms, trade marks etc.)
Young, Jennie. The Ceramic Art: A Compendium of the History and Manufacture of Potttery and Porcelain. New York: Harper, 1878. Google Books. Free ebook.
Created 13 April 2014
Last modified 20 February 2025