Overview
A vintage pair of handmade and hand painted porcelain bird figurines by Royal Worcester in 1968. Designed by Dorothy Doughty, this pair is named “Redstarts and Gorse”, and is one of the 5 pairs and 8 individuals of Dorothy Doughty’s British Bird Series. This model has a limited edition of 500, and the flowers, spikes and birds are depicted with great details. This is a beautiful decorative piece, of collection quality.
Highlight
- limited edition of 500
- complete with a certificate of authenticity from Royal Worcester and their original wooden crate
- perfect condition on the figurine focal points (flowers and birds)
Details
- one of the 5 pairs and 8 individuals of Dorothy Doughty’s British Bird Collection Series
- model number 28 out of 500
- handmade and hand painted porcelain on wood bases
- both signed, dated, titled, with a Royal Worcester mark on the bottom
- bottom signed “D.Doughty c.1968”
- include 2 limited certificates of authenticity from Royal Worcester
- include 2 original wooden crates
Period
- dated 1968
Maker
- British
- designed by Dorothy Doughty
- produced by Royal Worcester
Size
- 28 cm H / 16.5 cm W / 18 cm D (the taller one)
- 11 inch H / 6.5 inch W / 7 inch D (the taller one)
Material
- porcelain and metal
Condition
- overall excellent condition
- 1 tiny spike (out of hundreds of spikes on this model) is missing, very normal for porcelain pieces of this much details
Dorothy Doughty - Designer, Sculptor (British, 1892 - 1962)
Dorothy Susan Doughty was a British sculptor and potter. Her father was the poet, writer, and traveller Charles Doughty.
Dorothy studied at Eastbourne School of Art and became a keen naturalist and ornithologist. In 1933 the American publisher, Alex Dickens, encouraged Royal Worcester, a British porcelain firm, to make large bone china models of birds to sell in limited numbers. In the 1930’s, Royal Worcester was using the slipcasting (molding) to create all of their figurines, but this simply could not provide the fine detail required to realistically portray flowers and leaves. Dorothy decided to create such elements entirely by hand. Technical innovations and new skills were developed by Dorothy and special matt colours were developed to give the birds a lifelike appearance. 36 pairs and 3 individual models of American Birds were designed by Dorothy between 1933 and 1960. Towards the end of her life, Dorothy also designed a series of 5 pairs and 8 individual models of British birds, which were not put into production until after her death in 1962.
In 1957 the Queen presented a pair of Dorothy’s bird “Parula Warblers” to President Eisenhower and Dorothy was greatly honoured at this Royal seal of approval.
An entire series of Dorothy’s porcelain birds is exhibited at the Stark Museum of Art in Orange, Texas and The Art Collection at Hebrew Home at Riverdale in Riverdale, New York.
Dorothy Doughty commonly marks her work “D. Doughty”.
Royal Worcester - Porcelain Company (British, 1751 - )
The Worcester Royal Porcelain Co. Ltd. (known as Royal Worcester) is a renowned manufacturer of good quality porcelain.
The firm was established in 1751 and is believed to be the oldest or second oldest remaining English porcelain brand still in existence today (this is disputed by Royal Crown Derby, which claims 1750 as its year of establishment). Royal Worcester remains in the luxury tableware and giftware market today (2020), although production in the city of Worcester itself has ended. The enterprise has followed the same pattern of other leading English porcelain brands, with increasing success during the 18th and 19th centuries, then a gradual decline during the 20th century, especially the latter half.
Due to its exceptional quality of production, Royal Worcester received a royal warrant in the year of 1788.
Royal Worcester commonly stamps their work with a seal of “Royal Worcester”.