Production of porcelain ceased after proprietor Lewis W Dillwyn withdrew his support in 1817.
This cabinet cup above, with griffon moulded handle and paw feet, is unmarked but a known Swansea model c.1815. Many are gilded and painted – including those by the noted Swansea and Carmarthen decorator William Pollard (1803-54) – but this example offered by David Lay (18% buyer’s premium) in Penzance on March 17-19 was left in the white.
In near-perfect condition (there is a tiny fit to the beaded rim cup rim) and estimated at £100-150, it took £1500. Back in 2017 Rogers Jones sold a cup and saucer of this model painted by Pollard with garden fruit and flowers for £10,500.
Forty theme
Royal Doulton figure from the ‘One of the Forty’ series designed by Harry Tittensor - £1900 at David Lay.
A very different example, but equally collectable British ceramic, was one of the rare Royal Doulton figures from the ‘One of the Forty’ series designed by Harry Tittensor.
This 8in (20cm) figure, is one of several made in Burslem in the early 20s on the theme of the Arabian Knights, made popular at the time by the Ballet Russe and first performed as the operetta Chu Chin Chow in London in 1916.
The illustrations of Edmund Dulac that appear in his Picture Book for the French Red Cross (1915) were a particular inspiration.
These figures, produced in small numbers and in different colour ways, buck the general trend of plunging prices for Doulton. This model, carrying the impressed mark 11-22 and in good condition save a hairline to the base, took £1900.
