Figure studies

The first Royal Doulton figurines were produced at Lambeth in London and Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent during the 1880's. Charles Noke, who would later become Art Director, was responsible for modeling many of the early figures and for developing the company's famous HN collection that was launched in 1913.

In the beginning, Noke commissioned figures from a number of independent sculptors but in 1920 secured the talents of Leslie Harradine, who became the mainstay of the collection for more than 30 years. Since the 1890's, more than 2,500 different figures have been added to the range and are collected around the world. The most popular figure style has been the Crinoline Lady, with her neat bonnet and tightly waisted petticoat.

Upon Harradine's retire in the late 1950s, Margaret Davies became a worthy successor, bringing to the HN range a diversity and style that has enraptured collectors for generations.