Hobbies And Interests
Company History
Royal Doulton began as a small pottery company in 1815. The original name for the company was Jones, Watts & Doulton, but by 1826, the name had already changed to Doulton & Watts. More name changes would follow as the company grew, until It finally became Royal Doulton near the beginning of the 20th century. Royal Doulton and the Doulton Lambeth legacy ended in 1956, when their factories were shut down. The company used various emblems and markings over the course of its history.
Crown Lion
The first instance of the lion showing up on Royal Doulton crafts occurs in 1902. The logo redesign was a direct result of a royal warrant being granted that allowed the company to officially take the ̶0;Royal̶1; moniker, changing from Doulton Lambeth to Royal Doulton. This emblem features a lion standing on top of a large crown, which is itself sitting above the Royal Doulton logo. This logo was printed from 1902 to 1956 on a variety of wares.
Small Lion
The second lion emblem to be used by Royal Doulton is that of a lion standing on top of a circular Royal Doulton logo, without the crown featured in previous logos. This logo was introduced in 1922 and would be printed on wares until the company shut down in 1956. This means that any ware with the small lion logo cannot predate 1922, but those with the crown lion logo may have been manufactured anywhere between 1902 and 1956.
Other Methods of Dating
In addition to the presence of a logo on Royal Doulton products, you can usually find a numbered trademark that helps indicate the exact period in which an item may have been produced. You may also find diamond-shaped registration marks on works created between 1843 and 1883. If you are new to collecting china and are not sure if the piece you are looking at is authentic, seek professional help from a reputable antiques dealer with experience in the field.