Ceramic animals








Ceramic animals

 popular, especially among those who enjoy collecting a favorite species. Ranging from realistic models to characters from children's books, they were often made by notable factories such as royal doulton.
Ceramic animals

Dogs are among the most collectable of ceramic animals, perhaps reflecting the loyalty people show their pets. Other creatures collected range from breeds of cattle and sheep to the wild beasts of far-distant lands.



Spaniels and sheepdogs



Ceramic Stafford shire animals were produced in great numbers from the early 19th century, when these
inexpensive figurines were in vogue. They were often produced in facing pairs. 



Ceramic animals

Classic Staffordshire spaniels and sheepdogs are plentiful and usually fetch less than £200 for a pair in good condition. Earlier examples (1820s—4Os) have longer snouts and more detail in the modelling and painting




Look for earlier, colourful pieces in preference to later, plainer ones, hut avoid those with bright gold' collars and leads, as these were made after 1880 and are much more common. Single dogs are of less value, as are matched pairs (from similar moulds but not originally sold together). These can fetch less than half the value of a genuine pair.



Greyhounds from the 19th century usually fetch around £100-300 for a pair. Rabbits come in a range of sizes, but owing to their scarcity can sell for very high prices: a large pair can be worth up to £4,000 more, if in good condition.



 Cows were often modelled with milkmaids or as holders for spills (strips of wood for lighting hearths, pipes, and candles).


Wild animals are among the more popular Staffordshire figures today. Scarce creatures such as zebras, especially facing pairs, can fetch £100-300 or more.


Ceramic animals

 Other wild animals such as lions and tigers are rarer still, and can fetch £400-600 or more. Beware of modern reproductions and marrieds' - models from different periods that have been brought together to form a pair.





Doulton's menagerie


The choice of animal figures made by Royal Doulton is vast - more than 1,000 designs were issued. Like its human figures, Doulton's animals came under the auspices of the 'HN' range,
which dates from 1913 until the present day.




 Heights vary from 15cm (6in) for a parrot to more than 35cm (14in) for an elephant. Penguins were among the first exotic creatures to appear in the HN range, and these can be worth around £150-200.





 Some rarer figures can fetch more: HN141, an early rhinoceros (made from 1917 to 1946), can fetch up to £1,200.
At Doulton's Burslem factory, some early animal figures were designed by the art director Charles Noke from 1913 into the 1920s.



 Accurate depictions of pedigree breeds of dogs were modelled by Frederick Daws. Prices usually range from around £30 to £1,000; the highest values are reserved for short production runs or unusual colour variations.





Royal Doulton experimented with glaze techniques, such as flambe', which has a rich red colour. Some
animal pieces in this style from the early 20th century are rare. 





The flambe glaze lends itself well to wild animals, enhancing their drama or ferocity. Monkeys, elephants, rhinoceroses, and polar bears are among the more sought-after pieces.



Ceramic animals


 Prices for post- 1980 figures often range from around £20 to £30 for a small fox up to around £2,500 for a large elephant.


Beswick bestiary



Since the 1930s, Beswick has produced an extensive range of animals,
famous racers. Generic horses can cost as little as £20-30, but rare examples with riders, which were produced for short periods, can fetch around £300-500 or more.

Accent on realism



Ceramic animals


Royal Worcester have excelled in producing animal figures, concentrating on quality rather than quantity, with some first-class limited editions. Doris Lindner modelled highly realistic animals for the company from the 1930s onwards. She began with dog studies but after the war explored larger subjects.




 Her early dogs and other animals can fetch £200-500, while her larger, limited-edition pieces from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, depicting famous racehorses, championship cattle, and equestrian figures, can fetch £700-1,500.


Children's favourites




Ceramic animals


From Squirrel Nutkin to Flopsy and Mopsy, Beatrix Potter's characters are as popular today as when she published her first stories in 1902. Beswick began making Beatrix Potter figures in 1947. 



The initial series, introduced in 1948, comprised 10 characters including Peter Rabbit and the first Jemima Puddleduck, all of which were modelled by Arthur Gredington.



These figures, marked with the gold-coloured Beswick backstamp, are the most desirable. Prices in general
have fallen over the past few years, and can vary from as little as £10-15 for a 1970s or '80s 'Tom Kitten', to around ,£700-1,000 or more for rarer figures such as the black dog known as 'Duchess with Flowers'.
Both the featured character and the production period hold the key to value, with earlier models and thosemade for only a short time beingmost sought after.


Ceramic animals





 Since most characters were produced over a long period, it is easy to build up a collection of figures costing less than ,£50-100 each. Car-boot sales, collectors' fairs, and junk shops are good hunting grounds, while specialist auctions are the ideal places to find a particular piece to complete a collection.
Marks tell all Beswick Beatrix Potter figures can be dated to a period by the colour, shape, and wording of the backstamp printed on the base. 



There were many different marks, so it is always best to consult a detailed reference guide, as the subject can be confusing. Collectors have even developed a shorthand, referring to the backstamps as BP1', which appeared from 1948 to 1954, through to 'BP11'. the most recent variation, used from 2001-2002. Clothing clues



A further clue to dating Beswick Beatrix Potter figures lies in the colour of the clothing. Earlier figures are darker in colour, owing to the lead content of the paint.


 A pre-1980s Peter Rabbit will have a deeper blue coat and can be worth up to £60, while a similar figure made after lead paint was banned in the 1980s will have a lighter-coloured coat and can cost around .£20. In late 2002, Royal Doulton (who had bought Beswick in 1969) ceased production of these figures and the ceramics licence went to Border Fine Arts. The effect that this will have on prices for the original Beswick creations remains to he seen.


 
Top tips




Ceramic animals
Beware of fake Staffordshire animals - usually lighter in weight and paler in colour than originals, and less well modelled and painted.




Inspect Beswick and Doulton figures for 'crazing', a network of fine cracks in the glaze - once this starts, it will eventually cover the entire piece.

 Check the legs of Beswick animals: as they are often 'free-standing', models can be vulnerable to damage.

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