While my wife has always enjoyed collecting "old school Doulton", my how things have changed over the years! Gone are the days of finely crafted bone china, hand decorated by the finest skilled craftswomen. This dinner plate is an example of what has happened to Royal Doulton in the 2000's, now part of Fiskars (Finland) along with other distinguised English names such as Waterford, Wedgwood, Royal Albert and others ... sad!
Collectively the holding company is called WWRD, HERE is some background to them
Yes the name Royal Doulton and the design is an original Doulton from the 1950's (although the colouring has been changed) and this melamine product is made in Asia, not England.
ROYAL DOULTON - Child's Dinner Plate
Circa late 2000's ~ early 2010's
Made in Asia (country of manufacture is actually not stated, mostly likely it was Taiwan or possibly R.O.C)
Material: Melamine
Semi-translucent, if you hold the plate to the light you can faintly see a strong light source through the plastic.
IMPRESSED BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
See the rear photograph but if difficult to read ...
Do not use in microwave. (Downwards curving arch)
Bunnykins graphic design
by
Royal Doulton ®
© WWRD Barlaston
Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire England
TREE TOYS (graphic design) ®
3
Not recommended for dishwasher. (Upwards curved text)
Tree Toys ® is a company based in Taiwan who undertake product development for Fiskars amongst others. If you wanted to see just how much product they shipped to USA on behalf of WWRD, take a look HERE and be amazed!
DESIGN: HW115 Playing With Dolls And Prams *** (see comments below)
Design creator was Walter Hayward (although NO mouse is present!)
Bright White background Melamine colouring
Although the design is substantially the same as the original, some artistic licence has been used by Tree Tops (Taiwan) which result in SUBSTANTIAL colouring alterations and some graphics that never appeared on the original design.
a) The standard "running rabbits" around the rim but these look more like Snow Rabbits, not Brown. All White bodies with a pale Blue background striping.
b) Moving towards the central artwork, there are 4 light Grey stars and pale Blue clouds - Hmmm
d) The central artwork has had significant colour changes made, just about all of the objects are re-coloured or have been redesigned e.g the female rabbit to the far right originally had a White dress with Red polka dots, this dress is now a plain Pink. Even the balloon she is holding has changed colour from Blue to Yellow!
e) There may be no relation (we don't know in fact) but in the centre of the artwork, on the bottom edge is a collection of four Yellow flowers and then to the immediate right is a Green 3 or possibly just a leaf outline ... is it a coincidence that Tree Toys have placed a 3 below their name in the backstamp?
*** Controversial Personal Comments with respect to the name of this design
Although we (like many others) have confirmed the "listed" name of this design as "Playing With Dolls And Prams" - it has never "sat well" with us.
All three rabbits look to be mature, particularly the centre rabbit who appears to be a Grandmotherly figure based on her stature and wearing of the straw hat which was often reserved for the "senior rabbits" in the artwork. The rabbits to each side of her are indeed young, but children? We don't think so, they look like young lady rabbits. Assuming all of the rabbits are in fact mature, why would they be playing with dolls? Surely these are real live baby rabbits in the two prams and one being cuddled by Grandma? Then there is the balloon to the right hand side .... to us this looks as though they have just been to a party or a fun filled fair and are taking rest break while returning home through the meadows.
This is something that we have always loved about the Bunnykins series of designs, if you look and look, many different "stories" become possibilities!
Measures: 220mm diameter (edge to edge) 150mm diameter (recessed central area) x 18mm deep
Weight: 150g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED (Barely)
My wife once collected "Bunnykins" melamine but this set (we had other pieces but they became damaged) she has decided that it would no longer be taking up space in our house - she always felt this plate was a bit of an abomination! But instead of throwing it away, she felt that perhaps someone is looking for a replacement plate ...
CLEAN
NO damage to the melamine at all
NO damage to any of the graphic transferware
NO hideous marks or scratches although if I look very closely at the surface I can see some very light handling marks but nothing serious.
As this plate is now "out of the cabinet" and looking for a new home, I have sealed it within clear plastic to maintain the condition and it is now sitting patiently in our spare room waiting ...
