- Home
- About
The Definitive Guide to Fine China
Powered by Decades of Expertise
Myself, Peter Holland (right) and TV legend (BBC's Antiques Roadshow Henry Sandon) discuss one of my bone china figurines at a Worcester meeting.A warm welcome to the internet’s most trusted, sculptor-led resource for fine bone china and pottery collectors.
I am Peter Holland — for over twenty-five years the commercial sculptor and clay modeller behind many of the best-loved limited-edition figurines released by Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, Coalport and Wade under the Compton & Woodhouse banner. During the 1990s and 2000s my studio pieces helped generate tens of millions in sales and still regularly achieve £500–£4,000+ on the secondary market today.
After leaving the factories I made a promise to myself: to pass on everything I know, not through books that date in five years, but through this living, ever-growing website of now over 1,000 pages.
Here you will find:
- The largest independent reference library of pottery & porcelain marks anywhere online
- Step-by-step identification and valuation guidance written by someone who actually modelled for the brands
- The stories (and the people) behind the great factories that most books leave out
- Practical advice on what makes one piece £30 and an almost identical one £3,000
Whether you have inherited a cupboard full of china, are hunting car-boot treasures, or simply want to understand why a certain figurine speaks to you, you’ve come to the right place.
Thousands of collectors now rely on these pages every day, many of them join my free weekly Insider Letter for new marks guides, members-only valuation tips, and very occasional announcements of new studio-only releases (including the original vintage-style travel posters I now create alongside my sculpture work).
Thank you for stopping by. Ask me anything in the comments, I still answer personally, or explore the links below and let’s keep the golden age of British figurines alive together.
Peter Holland Royal Worcester | Royal Doulton | Coalport sculptor (1990–2015) Host of figurines-sculpture.com since 2004. Visit The Artist's Studio.
Today the studio remains active with private commissions, teaching, and new creative work that includes an original series of vintage-style travel and fantasy posters drawn from the same sense of narrative and craftsmanship.
Discover the poster series →
To discover how this website helps people, read a few of the heartfelt testimonials here:- Figurines Sculpture Testimonials
Below is the story of how untrained, unqualified and undeterred, I rose to become a leading figure in the UK ceramics industry.
What others are saying:
 |
Roger Green. Production Manager Royal Worcester, England.
"Having worked at Royal Worcester for thirty five years, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest sculptors and craftsmen in the world. When Peter modeled the first Celtic Princess (Tara) it revolutionized the style of china figurines. A new era had begun. In addition to that, Peter's model ‘Forty Winks’, in my opinion is the finest figure Royal Worcester has produced in a long time, and one to collect, as I have! I managed to get a pre-production copy in a unique colour (a privilege of the job). Peter is a sculptor at the pinnacle of his profession. The movement, bone structure and grace of his models are second to none. He rates with the very best". |
 |
Tamara Bonêt, Sculptor, California, USA.
"A lot of successful sculptors don't want to give the time of day to a new artist. Peter was different. I was so excited to have such a world class sculptor email me. Okay, I was a little star struck. Then, his regular emails continued helping me step by step. Some of his technical advice still rings in my ears as I sculpt my current work. I'm grateful to him for the encouragement given those many years ago. He's a great guy and artist".
 |
 "My wife's favourite piece of art: your "Cherish" sculpture". Peter Frazer |
Go to the Gallery Pages for more examples of Peter's Work
|
Mary Shaw, Artist and Gallery Owner "There is something about the way Peter Holland works a bronze nude that pairs down the essence of what it is to be human. Beautiful young women in their prime, yet not perfect. Pensive yet confident at the same time. As people, we all have a duality about us - that's what makes us the frail monsters that we are!" |
 |
Damian, Typical Site Visitor Says...
"Let's face it, the internet - like the world - has a lot of trash for us to trawl through. Your site and your beautiful creations have enriched both. I admire your work immensely and your clarity that comes through also in the way you write and express yourself on the site".
Peter Holland - Career Biography
Before going into the world of ceramic sculpture as a professional, I worked with retailers Jaeger and Liberty of London, England in sales management and buying.
It was a very good career for someone only in their 30's, but I didn't get to see my kids much...
At the same time, making time to pursue my interest in clay sculpture, my work was first formally recognized during an exhibition of my work at the Royal Miniature Society in 1993 in Regent Street, London (ironically, very close by to the Liberty store where I worked). The maximum of five sculptures were accepted by the RMS.
It seems a big step from this first small success to switch careers to a sector in which I had no background and no formal training. However, I was prepared to follow my instinct - that small voice in the dark - to wherever it might lead.
The tale of how I was eventually commissioned by the likes of
Royal Worcester, Wedgwood, Coalport and Royal Doulton to produce work
for them is a story in its own right.
How I was able to use the SBI website platform to build a site in the top 1% of all websites.
Return from
Peter Holland Story (about page)
to
homepage
Inherited a china set?... Download my free 7-point checklist to instantly assess its potential value.
From the Studio
• Peter Holland Posters
• Sculpture Studio