There are four recognized versions Style 1 of The Clown red hair and no hat (the most expensive today), Version #2 with brown hair, Version #3 for sale here, with white hair, and Version #4 with black hair only one is known to exist from 1940. The white-haired version has a multi-colored handle. In the late 80s Royal Doulton introduced their Circus Performers series featuring a new design. The production run of Version #3 was not as extensive as other designs and now makes it a desirable and wanted item for the serious collector. All of the Toby jugs offered for sale are in very good overall condition no nicks, chips, cracks, crazing, stains or noticeable discoloration. Photos accurately show product condition and serve as part of the description. All you ever wanted to know about Royal Doulton Character Jugs! Pottery jugs in the image of human beings have been made since the dawn of civilization, and some impressive examples have survived from both Greek and Roman times. In Medieval England, potters poked fun at their contemporaries by creating figurative jugs, and these primitive vessels provided interesting precedents for the Toby Jug, which first appeared in Staffordshire potteries in the late 18. By the early years of the 19. Century many variations of the original toby type a brown salt-glaze stoneware material. Potteries started up in London, and in 1815 the Doulton & Watts factory was established on the banks of the River Thames. Various modelers worked throughout the years making various versions of Toby Jugs, but it was not until the 1870s that the character jug came into its own, due to modeler Charles Noke. In 1889 he was appointed as modeler of ornamental vases, mainly for exhibition purposes. Before long, Noke was producing figure models and embarked on a mission to revive the Staffordshire figurative tradition. In 1913, following the launch of his famous HN collection of figures, he turned his attention to the Toby Jug once again. With the help of his chief modeler, Harry Fenton, Noke quickly introduced more personalities from literature, legend, folk-lore and song. By 1935 the first models were also available in a small 4 size, and in 1939 the 2-1/2 size also began production. The WWII bombing of Nokes Burslem studio interrupted his output, but the war gave him opportunity to pay tribute to Winston Churchill, the first contemporary to be portrayed in a character jug. Unfortunately, it did not sell well and was withdrawn from the line surviving examples are quite rare. Fenton modeled Churchill later on and that jug was produced for almost 50 years. Noke died in 1941, and Fenton later in 1953, but their legacy of character art survives to this day. The standard character jug range include over 300 different subjects, not to mention all the various size options. Once a piece has been discontinued in the Doulton catalog, it is only available on the secondary market. Many of the pieces have undergone modeling and color refinements, with The Clown being one of the more radical changes. In 1937, he has a white face with bright red hair; the postwar version the face is natural flesh tones and the hair is white. The earlier version is rare and in much demand. Later Made In England was added, and in the 1930s Royal Doulton started patenting their designs and added a registration number to the base as well. In the 1930s, often the name of the character was added in quotes. A numbering code to determine the year of manufacture was started in 1928 with number one. If the number to the right of the lion/crown logo is present, it is added to 1927 to determine the year of manufacture, i. E the number 11 would denote 1938, etc. This marking is known for jugs made in the 1930s & 40s. Several of the pieces I have for sale also have the A mark on the base. This is a kiln control mark denoting a special type of earthenware body known as Georgian. This mark was used on a variety of Royal Doulton products between 1939 and 1955, so its presence on a piece will date it to within that time period. The item “1951-1955 ROYAL DOULTON TOBY JUG #D6322 THE CLOWN VER. 3 7-1/2 WHITE HAIR” is in sale since Saturday, May 23, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Decorative Collectible Brands\Royal Doulton\Character, Toby Jugs”. The seller is “elkayj28xp” and is located in Loudon, Tennessee. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Brand: Royal Doulton