It started with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London, as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts. The business specialised in making stoneware articles, such as decorative bottles and saltglaze sewer pipes.

The company took on the Doulton name in 1853. John and his son Henry established themselves as makers of fine English stoneware. While stoneware only allows for a limited range of colours, they were able to produce a wide variety of items for the luxury market.

During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) a revolution occurred in personal sanitation. Consequently, Doulton's lead in domestic and industrial stoneware helped make it Britain's top manufacturer of sanitary ware. What's more, the firm was a key player in the field of artistic pottery - as well as commemorative, ornamental, and tableware products.

By 1871 Henry had launched a studio at the Lambeth pottery, and offered work to designers and artists from a local art school. It was a great success. Their names included the Barlow family (Florence, Hannah, and Arthur), Frank Butler, Mark Marshall, Eliza Simmance, and George Tinworth. Now their work commands increasingly high prices.

Then, in 1882, Doulton purchased the small factory of Pinder, Bourne and Co, at Nile Street in Burslem, Staffordshire – bringing Doulton right to the heart of The Potteries.

And Doulton proved increasingly popular. It had much to do with the artistic direction of John Slater, who worked across a wide variety of figurines, vases, character jugs, and decorative pieces.

What's more, the popularity of Doulton products came to the attention of the royal family. In 1901 the Burslem factory was granted the Royal Warrant by King Edward VII – it enabled the business to adopt bold new markings and a new name. Royal Doulton.

Between the wars, Royal Doulton became synonymous with the finest English china, worldwide. The name and reputation continued to grow with flambé ware, titanium ware, and bone china too.

Quality on a plate

In 1960 Royal Doulton introduced a new product – English Translucent China. It was developed over several years by Technical Director Richard Bailey. It effectively removed the cost of bone china, but offered fine translucent work. In short, it had all the right qualities at the right price.

It became known as Royal Doulton Fine China and proved an outstanding success. And, in 1966, it attained one of the first Queen's Awards for Technical innovation for the business. This heritage has prompted a revival of Doulton Lambeth with an oven to tableware range that's truly rustic in feel.

Today, Lambethware draws on a rich inheritance. It carefully blends tough, quartz-like compounds with feldspathic Cornish stone for a robust appearance. Modern ceramic technology adds a refined glaze and colour to all this.

Now, fine bone china, fine china, and Lambethware are the hallmarks of quality from Royal Doulton Home – alongside a host of other products.

Royal Doulton Fine China

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