Royal Doulton Bone China -
A Potted History

The new business flourished subsequently relocating from Fulham to Lambeth, London. Originally, ceramics for the home were not part of their product range.

Successor to John, Henry Doulton changed all that. He was instrumental on pushing the decorative product development. Henry was responsible for many innovations including the first steam driven potter’s wheel.

The early development of the company was bankrolled to a large extent by manufacture of sewage pipes. Never was the phrase: “Where there’s muck there’s brass” more apt!

However, while other Staffordshire potters were having spectacular successes with the new 'bone china' material, Henry was reluctant. Only in 1884 was he pursuaded to use the new body and to spread the artistic imagination of the company.

Soon they were surrounded by one of the most outstanding teams of modellers, decorators and painters in the world. The fame of the company and of its products became truly international. Henry was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1887.

That notoriety was extended into the 20th century under a new art director, Charles C. Noke (a particular hero of mine), and through the talents of a brilliant generation of artists who had developed during the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign (Joseph Hancock, Harry Tittensor, Edward Birks, Percy Curnock and others).

In 1901, Edward VII granted a Royal Warrant and the company began producing collectibles including figurines and jugs. Doulton was always leading the way in creating new glazes and decorative effects.

Doulton own many other famous name china companies including Royal Albert, Minton and John Beswick. Recently Royal Doulton themselves have been acquired by Wedgwood.