The Royal Doulton company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, as Doulton bought (with £100) an interest in an existing factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London, where Watts was the foreman. They traded as Jones, Watts & Doulton from 1815 until Martha Jones left the partnership in 1820, when the trade name was changed to Doulton & Watts. The business specialised in making salt glaze stoneware articles, including utilitarian or decorative bottles, jugs and jars, much of it intended for inns and pubs. In 1826 they took over a larger existing pottery on Lambeth High Street.
The company took the name Doulton & Co. in 1854 after the retirement of John Watts in 1853, and a merger with Henry Doulton and Co. (see below), although the trading name of Doulton & Watts continued to be used for decades. For some of the 19th century there were three different businesses, run by the sons of John Doulton, and perhaps with cross-ownership, which later came back together by the end of the century. By 1897 the total employees exceeded 4,000. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of Doulton figurines.
Figure of brown bear designed by David Lovegrove Made by Royal Doulton Tableware Limited in City of London, City of London, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe, 1959. Doulton porcelain figure modelled by David Lovegrove, “Brown Bear”, standing, about 4” high x 6” long (LC).
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
A ROYAL DOULTON SUNG BEAR AND CUB BY CHARLES NOKE the bear and little cub decorated in a mottled sapphire blue and red glaze on a cream and saffron base factory mark, signed Noke, 35cm high
Sold for 12,000 AUD at Sothebys in 2007
Animals Polar Bear and Cub, A Doulton Limited Edition Study HN 4178, 2001 Edition of 200, with certificate
Sold for £ 192 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2005
Flambe Polar Bear Unrecorded Figurine
Very large and impressive walking Polar bear with an open mouth and front paw raised as in stride. No HN number. Most likely a prototype that never went into production. Doulton stamp on bottom. Country of Origin: England; Dimensions: 6.75″H x 12″L; Color: Red and dark red.
Sold for $5,000 at Whitley’s Auctioneers in 2018