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.
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| 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.
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.
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.
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| 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).
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.
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.
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| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| 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
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.
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.
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| Ceramic animals |
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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