Collecting Doulton Lambeth vases

Now is the time to invest in Doulton Lambeth vases, advises Judith Miller.

ABOVE (left-right): A pair of vases by George Tinworth with scrolling and raised beads, one with a firing crack, £600-£800; Stoneware floor vase by Hannah Barlow, decorated with a sgraffito band of sheep, £800-£1,200; Vase by Elisa Simmance with flowers and foliage and beadwork decoration, £150-£200.

Founded in 1815 by John Doulton, Martha Jones and John Watts in Lambeth, south London, Doulton initially produced utilitarian ceramics such as chimney pots and pipes; the company only began producing decorative wares from around 1871. Many of these were designed and decorated by students from the nearby Lambeth School of Art, such as siblings Arthur, Florence and Hannah Barlow, and George Tinworth. Doulton Lambeth pieces included stoneware, which was often made in Art Nouveau style; a ‘faience’ range, with naturalistic hand painting; and ‘Silicon’ ware.

On this page, we’re focusing on stoneware vases that feature ornate Art Nouveau decoration with repeat carved foliate borders, scrolling flowers, ponies, cattle and sheep. Hannah Barlow in particular was celebrated for her lively and lifelike animal designs created using the sgraffito technique, where a sharp point scratches an image into the wet clay; the body is then wiped with an oxide stain that settles into the lines to highlight them.

ABOVE (left-right): Hannah Barlow sgraffito design, £600-£900; Emily Stormer leaf and rosette vase, £400-£600; One of a pair of pedestal vases by Louisa Edwards, £500-£700

In 1877, Doulton took over the Pinder, Burne & Co factory in Burslem, Staffordshire, which produced earthenware and bone china. Its name changed to Doulton and Company Ltd five years later, and the firm soon became known for fine porcelain; Edward VII granted it the title ‘Royal’ in 1901, and ‘Royal Doulton’ marks appeared the following year. The Lambeth factory closed in 1956 but production continues in Burslem, where the company makes traditional and contemporary tableware, figurines, crystal, glass and gifts (royaldoulton.com).

Tips for collectors

• Vases are often worth more than bowls or jardinières; and true pairs are more desirable than singles or matched pairs.

• Condition is important, as damage reduces value considerably; so check all over for chips, scratches and cracks.

• Over the past decade, value and demand for Doulton pieces has declined (though the finest pieces, particularly stoneware, are still sought after); now may therefore be a good time to buy, as potential revival in the future would cause prices to rise.

• In particular, those in high Victorian style typical of the factory and period – like the piece pictured above left by Elisa Simmance – may be worth investing in, as prices are lower than 10 years ago and quality is high.

• Buy from reputable sellers on eBay who display the maker and artist’s marks.

WORDS JUDITH MILLER PHOTOGRAPHS FIELDING’S AUCTIONEERS, WOOLLEY & WALLIS, HALLS FINE ART, SWORDERS, DUKE'S AUCTIONEERS
Featured in the September 2011 issue of Period Living

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