The Royal Doulton figurines are exquisite vintage items, so we aren’t surprised they interest you. We also know its popularity causes a proliferation of subpar duplicates in the market, which can be a hassle for new collectors.
Because these historical mementos typically depict notable characters from Children’s storybooks, real-life, and adult plays, they’re one of the highest valued in the antique and vintage figurines market.
While some Royal Doulton figurines sell relatively cheap for less than $50, others command a whopping value of over $5,000 due to special factors. You can find approximate costs in reputable price guides and online, but it’s not always fixed.
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you by sorting through current auctions for Royal Doulton figurines and compiled a list of the ten most valuable models in the world today. Also, we added a comprehensive guide on identification and appraisal.
No. |
Name |
Model Number |
Year |
Price |
1. |
The Bather |
N.A. |
1928 |
$8,100 |
2. |
La Victoire Crowing Cockerel |
N.A. |
1900 |
$5,387.06 |
3. |
Bluebeard with Plume on Turban |
HN75 |
1917 – 1935 |
$5,379.20 |
4. |
Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine |
HN1379 |
1920 – 1949 |
$3,600 |
5. |
Darling |
HN1319 |
1913 |
$3,500 |
6. |
Les Saisons Hiver (Winter) |
HN3069 |
1985 |
$2,995 |
7. |
Pretty Lady |
HN0070 |
1916 – 1938 |
$2,241 |
8. |
Romeo and Juliet |
HN3113 |
1990 – 1999 |
$1,500 |
9. |
Suzhou Monkey |
BA40 |
2000 |
$1,099 |
10. |
Prestige Matador and Bull |
HN2324 |
1964 |
$875 |
Table of Contents
Top Ten Most Valuable Royal Doulton Figurines in The World
We curated this list from trusted price guides to give you the top ten most valuable Royal Doulton Figurines. From this list, you can decide at a glance which model speaks to you, and enter the market prepared.
No more talks of undervaluing your Royal Doulton figurines as a seller, or spending excess money as a buyer. Let’s dive in.
10. Prestige Matador and Bull
Year: 1964
Price: $875
Model No: HN2324
If you love the thrill of a bullfight, then this rare Prestige Matador and Bull figurine is for you. It transports you to a bull pit with a daring matador waving his muleta in the face of a raging bull. If you look closely, you’ll see the careful detailing of the bull’s movement.
It took artisans at least twelve months to complete this 2 ft 24-inches long and 16-inches high porcelain figurine. Watch the production processD of your favorite Royal Doulton figurines in this video.
9. Suzhou Monkey
Year: 2000
Price: $1,099
Model No: BA40
This limited-edition Royal Doulton figurine is number 36 of 250 models produced. The 9-inches wide and 8½-inches tall figurine depicts a Suzhou Monkey. Unlike typical Royal Doulton Figurines that pass through high-glaze, this model is flambéed Chinese-style.
It’s a more recent design and from the early 21st century, but collectors love it for the blood red color. Asian mythology (especially Chinese) insists it brings good luck, and fortune. Take note that this model has a unique ID number because of its collaboration with Hummel Figurines.
8. Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Series 1)
Year: 1990-1999
Price: $1,500.00
Model No: HN3113
This figurine is a porcelain depiction of the couple Romeo and Juliet’s garden scene. You can see Juliet sitting in a pink dress listening attentively to Romeo as he professes to love.
Romeo wears a typical 20th-century outfit of red man tights, a purple tunic, and a black vest. When you look closely, you’d appreciate the detailing of the gold embroidery on the vest and his collar – a seemingly tiny detail that reminds you of his noble status.
Two white doves sit on the roof of a two-story building behind the couple, resting against a floral wall. It’s a simple scenery, but the details make it so much more exquisite, in Royal Doulton style.
7. Pretty Lady
Year: c. 1916 – 1938
Price: $2,241
Model No: HN0070
The Pretty Ladies of Royal Doulton figurines are part of the first group models designed. Harry Tittensor crafted this high glazed porcelain in the Grande Dame collection. Because it’s a retired model, this Pretty Lady is a rare find.
She’s about 9.5 inches tall, wearing a powder blue dress with a full skirt. The designer Tittensor is also one of the most respected Royal Doulton artisans, so prepare to part with some cool cash, and it’ll be worth every cent of your dollar.
6. Les Saisons Hiver (Winter)
Year: 1985
Price: $2,995
Model No: HN3069
This Winter figurine is one-third of a 4-series handmade and decorated limited-edition Royal Doulton figurines. Robert Jefferson inspired this design of which only 300 existed in the world at the time of production. It could be significantly less today, making this piece a rare find.
This 11½-inch tall standing on a 7” x 3” base Royal Doulton figurine shows a woman in a thick white cloak. She has brown hair braided in pigtails on each side of her face and forms her hand uniquely. She stretches the right hand horizontally and folds the left also horizontally.
5. Darling
Year: 1913
Price: $3,500
Model No: HN1319
The Royal Doulton Darling figurine is a child in an immaculate white nightgown. He stands in a contemplative pose at 7.75-Inches Tall on a 2 7/8-Inches black square base. It’s simple, as it captures the essence and innocence of childhood.
4. Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine (Shakespeare Series 1)
Year: 1920 – 1949
Price: $3,600
Number: HN1379
This C.J. Noke hand-painted model is a rare Royal Doulton figurine of Ellen Terry as Queen Elizabeth from Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. Its vibrant colors tell a story of porcelain glazed in the hottest kiln.
She stands at 12.25-inches in Queenly regalia of purple, blue, green, white, silver, and gold. We’ll warn you, though, that the figurine tilts her head downwards to the side naturally, so don’t panic. Your Royal Doulton queen isn’t damaged; she’s just a nosy royal.
3. Bluebeard with Plume on Turban
Year: 1917 – 1935
Price: $5,379.20
Model No: HN75
The Royal Doulton Bluebeard is a rare figurine depicting a character from the One thousand and One Arabian Nights folklore. It’s a man dressed in middle-eastern attire – a blue and yellow robe, white inner garment, and orange turban – spotting a long black beard with folded arms.
2. La Victoire Crowing Cockrel
Year: 1900
Price: $5,387.06
Model No: Unknown
The La Victoire Crowing Cockerel belongs to Royal Doulton Figurines’ rare stonewares produced before 1913. Famed designer John Broad crafted it with realistic lines to highlight the movement and feather texture.
It’s also one of the few Royal Doultons with the designer’s initials as signature instead of the back stamp. The Charlton Standard Catalogue doesn’t include a book value for this piece because it’s rare. If you stumble on it, don’t hesitate to cop one immediately unless you’re not a fan of cockerels.
Because it’s made of stoneware, this Cockerel weighs 871g and stands at 26cm (10.25-inches).
1. The Bather
Year: 1928
Price: $8,100
Model No: —
This figural statuette bigger than most Royal Doulton Figurines is an original Made in England piece by John Broad in the early Victorian era Art Nouveau style. The figurine is a naked lady sitting atop a frog feet orb with a slithering lizard on the side.
Although this model is a brunette with a floral headband, others have blonde hair so take note. Because she’s a large model (13.75-inches tall and 5.5-inches wide), The Bather is a perfect addition for your entryway.
She’s a heavy figurine you won’t regret buying because she’ll brighten your room with her high glazed finish.
Which Royal Doulton Figurines are Rare?
A rare Royal Doulton figurine is either limited-edition, retired, or discontinued. Limited-Editions are figurines designed for specific purposes such as anniversaries, and product launches. For instance, the Dickens, and Disney Princesses.
A retired Royal Doulton figurine is one that’s resting after running its course for a long period. Unlike discontinued models which got canceled (often for lack of sales,) retired Doulton figurines made sales in their heyday but got inducted into the hall of fame.
Think of it like an office work – the limited-edition is a special consultant, (highly recommended but only available for a short while,) the retired is the veteran, (served his purpose until it’s time to rest,) and the discontinued is the retrenched worker, (a casualty of downsizing).
How Much Do Royal Doulton Figurines Cost?
Different pricing systems guide the cost of Royal Doulton figurines, so you need to be specific when researching. Since we’re concerned with these statuettes only, you can consult the Charlton Standard Catalogue or a comprehensive figurine price guide.
The Royal Doulton (England) Figurines Guide contains a detailed price list, including descriptions. All you have to do is, enter the identification number (H.N. + figure) and figurine’s name in the search bar, and your information will appear on-screen.
How to Value a Royal Doulton Figurine
Like with every other antique and vintage item, the Royal Doulton figurines attain value based on certain factors, including Rarity, Age, Design, Condition, and Popularity. Basically, it follows the natural trading laws of demand and supply.
Where demand is high and supply is low the value increases. Consequently, if there’s no demand and supply is surplus, the value reduces to dispose of the items as quickly as possible. What happens when there’s high demand and commensurate supply? A steady market.
Identification Guide for Royal Doulton Figurines
Royal Doulton figurines make identification since the labeling is quite detailed. You can easily determine the authenticity or otherwise of your Royal Doulton figurine from the stamp on the back, including the name and identification number – easy-peasy.
Your figurine probably wouldn’t have any of the obvious identifications left, considering wear and tear, and that’s okay. There’s no cause for alarm because you can still use other factors like design, but it’ll require an extensive study of the Royal Doulton figurines.
Backstamp
The original Royal Doulton figurine designer Harry Nixon tagged his productions with H.N. numbers from 1913 – 1940. Upon his retirement, the new artists numbered the figurines based on their designs.
Like many other companies from its era, the Royal Doulton’s logo underwent moderations over the years. The first fine China and porcelain figurines’ logo is a crowned Lion, on a crown above the Royal Doulton name formed in a circle (1901 – 1922).
Between 1922 – 1927, the logo had no crown; only the crowned Lion and Royal Doulton roundel subsisted. By 1927 end, the original combo returned with a slight addition – the numbers.
From 1 – 30, each number represented the production years between 1928 – 1957. #1 was 1928, #2 was 1929, and so forth until the 30th in 1957. Note, however, that the 1930s adopted the Made in England moniker above the Royal Doulton name in the roundel.
Fun Tip: Add “27” to the number on the back stamp to identify the production year. Let’s try it – 20 + 27 = 47 (1947). Et voila.
Special mention goes to Royal Doulton figurines in series with distinctive markers designated by model group and modern designs. The 2000s swapped the entire Lion’s body for a lone head above a horizontal “Royal Doulton,” which the production country and I.D. number underneath.
Because Royal Doulton company required perfection, substandard figurines fell into a category called, Seconds. These sets have a distinct marker so check for a hole in the back stamps middle or a dash across the company’s name on the stamp.
Check out this video from accredited appraiser, Leslie Harradine.
Size
Royal Doulton figurines have fixed proportions, so you can spot a fake if it doesn’t meet the expected standard. Typically, counterfeit designs are smaller than the original, but that’s not a hard and fast rule.
The whole essence of counterfeiting is to imitate an original, so sometimes, you won’t discern a fake based on the size. This similarity often happens when counterfeiters use unfired subpar plaster, so there’s no risk of shrinkage. Don’t panic yet; you can still distinguish the authentic from fake with materials.
Materials
The Royal Doulton figurine used the highest quality materials, which were often lightweight (except the initial stoneware and terracotta designs,) unlike the heavier dubs. The original models used calcined bone ash, Cornish stone, and China clay for production.
Combining these materials created a translucent ceramic material unmatched in the early 20th century. Also, note that vintage Royal Doulton figurines are carved, the identification numbers rather than embossed.
Color scheme
The popular saying, The Devil is in the Details, applies in this case because Royal Doulton figurines use soft-toned color palettes. Try as they might, counterfeiters hardly achieve the pastel hues, and when they do, they fumble the application.
Every detail on the Royal Doulton figurine matters from the eyes to the clothing designs and signature markings, so watch out. In this instance, fading from wear and tear is a welcomed sign of authenticity, unlike perfectly finished designs.
Also, note that Royal Doulton figurines produced from the mid-1930s have more defined features.
Parting Words
It’s relatively easy to find a Royal Doulton Figurine in any collectible store if you don’t have a particular interest. Collection, however, becomes a hassle when you’re looking for specific designs to complete a set, or as a keepsake.
That’s not saying you won’t find them but it may be difficult, and would definitely cost some extra dollars. It’ll be worth it in the end though, so don’t be discouraged. Also, never let excitement cloud your judgement when trading a Royal Doulton Figurine.
Ensure you use all the tips you’ve learned;
- Royal Doulton Figurines use muted hues
- Pre-1930s models have engraved logos on the bottom
FAQs
Q: Where Can I Buy a Royal Doulton Figurine?
A: The common Royal Doulton figurines are available at online auction stores like eBay, Etsy, Ruby Lane, invaluable, and Sotheby’s. However, to buy rare items, you may have to leave your comfort zone and hunt at Estate sales, Auction houses, and high-end thrifts.
Q: Where Can I sell A Royal Doulton Figurine?
A: You can sell your Royal Doulton Figurine on an Online auction site like eBay, Ruby Lane, and Etsy. It’s easy to compare real-time prices with other vendors on the website, and bargain with buyers to reach a fair market value.
If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can sell you vintage Royal Doulton Figurine at an Estate sale, or a physical Auction house like Christie’s.
Q: What’s the Royal Doulton Figurine History?
A: The first Royal Doulton figurines were stoneware and terracotta from the 19th century until the introduction of Fine China in the 20th century. The company started as a pottery business by John Doulton and John Watts in 1815.
Before their deaths, Henry Doulton (John Doulton’s second son) took over its reins in 1835. His management introduced handcrafted stoneware, which formed the first Royal Doulton figurines.
The company rebranded as Doulton & Co. Ltd in 1882 after the knighting of Sir Henry Doulton, leading to an expansion. In no time, the improved business branched out to designing porcelain figurines in Burslem by 1890.
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