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Ceramic animals













Ceramic animals




The Bunnykins range by Royal Doulton was the brainchild of the factory manager, Cuthbert Bailey, who used his daughter Barbara's doodles to create a range of nursery ware in 1934. The line was mainly tableware, although a few figures were modelled by Charles Noke in 1939. Now rare, these can fetch between £300 and £700. World War II temporarily limited production to six characters including •Billie Bunnykins', Mother Bunnykins', and Farmer Bunnykins'.




Ceramic animals


In 1972-73, Albert Hallam extended the range by a further 12 characters, including 'Family Photograph' and 'Billie Bunnykins Cooling Off. Former Beswick modeller Graham Tongue then took ewer the range, but only 28 characters were produced by the early 1980s. Since then, at least one new figure has been released every year, many of them limited editions. Prices have fluctuated over the last 10 years, peaking around 1997 before falling once more.





Seek out appealing characters, and limited editions, especially those commissioned by the Suffolk-based retailer UK International Ceramics, as these have risen most in value.


 A 'Sergeant Mountie' Bunnykins figure originally sold for less than £50 but can now fetch ±150-200 or more.



Look for the scarce and valuable pre­war example.^, which do not have the DB' number used since 1972. Colour variations often fetch more ,too.

Ceramic animals


SylvaC fancies









SylvaC animal figures, * although modestly priced, are no less prized by their owners than those from more prestigious factories. The firm was founded in 1894 and its whimsical i \ ceramic animals wereproduced from the 1920s and marketed as fancies'.

They were decorated in bright colours using cellulose paint. The SylvaC name was not used until around 1932.





Shortly afterwards, the all-over, single- colour matt glaze that typifies the SylvaC range was created. From the mid-193()s until the 1960s the firm's popularity grew. Towards the end of this period a new, glossy finish known as bright glaze' was developed, and pieces started to resemble the figures Beswick.

Ceramic animals


 Despite the popularity of SylvaC, the factory went into liquidation in 1982. Production limped on under Longton Ceramics and Crown Winsor but finally ceased in 1989.







Furry friends






A huge range of animals was produced by SylvaC, but rounded rabbits, pointy-eared hares, and terrier dogs are the most popular. Each piece is stamped with a mould number, but even so it is difficult to date a piece reliably: any date related to a mould number is the date the mould was made, not when the piece was produced, and some moulds were used for many years.



 Nor did mould numbers run consecutively. In general, earlier pieces have a more matt finish and a deeper colour than later ones.
Ceramic animals




Prices and pitfalls






Values for SylvaC animals range from .£10 to around £-300, depending on size, colour, and rarity. Many shapes were made in a variety of sizes within the range 5-30cm (2-12in). Each size has a different mould number, the larger examples being the most valuable. Colour is important.



 Most common are green and fawn (or beige). Fink is extremely rare and sought after. Brown and blue are also uncommon and desirable. A 21cm (SMin)-high rabbit cottonwool dispenser in pink, in which cottonwool is pulled from a hole in the tail, can fetch over £100. Some shapes are rare, such as the hippopotamus (mould 1425) and the 'Joey Dog' (mould 1191). These can often fetch up to £100.





Fakes and reproductions are common. Avoid confusing them with period pieces imitating SylvaC, made by firms such as Denby. Although not as sought after as SylvaC, these have some value, usually fetching £30-50 or less.




Rabbits galore

Ceramic animals




Pendelfin figures were first produced as gifts for family and friends by Jeanie Todd and Jean Walmsley Heap of Burnley. Lancashire, in
Pendelfin production. Many of the original shapes are still made. Those that have been withdrawn or were produced for only a short time are usually the most valuable.



Prices vary from about .£5—15 to around ,£800 for very rare examples.


 Early models,such as the original rabbit family from the late 1950s, are the most desirable.





Pendelfin also produced a range of animals, which are rare today as they were less popular and soon withdrawn. Cyril Squirrel', produced from 1963-1965, can fetch around .£300-400, while 'Mother Mouse', produced from 1961-1966, can be worth more than .£100 (she is worth considerably more in the rarer grey colour).




Not all figures are so expensive, such as Lucy Pocket', produced from 1960 to 1967, and 'Maud', produced from 1967 to 1978, can fetch around .£20-30.

Ceramic animals





Look out for variations,such as figurines with thin necks, or those with
1953- They soon went into commercial production with figures including pixies and witches. In 1955, they produced their first rabbit figure, Father Dungaree Rabbit', which was a success.

 This led !o a family of rabbits, and afterwards rabbits became the mainstay of
clothes of a different colour from the standard versions. 'Uncle Soames Rabbit', whose original clothes were drab, was redesigned with a more colourful outfit to increase sales.


Ceramic animals


'Midge Rabbit' eating a biscuit was produced between 1956 and 1965 with varying numbers of crumbs on her dress - the more crumbs there are, the more she is worth. Values range from .£20 to more than £100.











The value of exclusives



Ceramic animals




Special limited editions, such as figurines produced to commemorate Pendelfin events or sold exclusively through the official collectors' club, are less valuable, often fetching £50 or less. They may make a good investment for the future, but they must be in mint condition with their box and any original paperwork.








 
Top Tips

  • Keep the box and any paperwork issued with the more modern Beswick Beatrix Potter characters produced from the mid-1980s onwards, as this will help to increase value.
  • Take great care when handling and moving SylvaC as it chips easily.
  • Avoid early SylvaC examples decorated in cellulose paint that is beginning to flake


  • Look out for Pendelfin figurines in the form of animals other than rabbits, as these are usually more valuable.
  • Check Pendelfin carefully for damage: the decoration is prone to flaking and chipping, and some models are top- heavy and so may have fallen at some point and been repaired.

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