Michael Doulton

Michael Doulton is the sixth generation to be involved in the renowned Royal Doulton Company. In 1815, Michael’s great, great, great grandfather, John Doulton, founded a little pottery on the banks of the river Thames in London and this has grown into one of the world’s most famous producers of fine china.

Michael travels the world as Royal Doulton’s ‘flag-flying’ ambassador and he has met many thousands of Doulton enthusiasts in his tours of the UK, America, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. During his appearances, Michael brings all the latest news from the Royal Doulton Company and presents the new figurines, character jugs, Bunnykins and Disney designs from the current collection. He advises Royal Doulton collectors on the acquisition, display and care of their collections and signs their purchases, a much valued souvenir of the occasion. Each year, Michael introduces a special figurine, which is sold only at his events.

Michael has a unique personal perspective on the history of Royal Doulton. He has many fond memories of visiting the London pottery as a little boy in the 1950s when the Lambeth kilns were still firing. When he first joined Royal Doulton in 1970, he spent some time at the pottery in Stoke-on-Trent learning the various manufacturing processes but confesses he took three times as long to paint a figurine as everybody else! Reminiscences such as these are included his book Discovering Doulton which is in many collectors’ libraries.

With his wealth of experience and travel adventures, Michael is a welcome guest on radio and TV chat shows and he took part in the documentary film about Royal Doulton narrated by Patrick Macnee of The Avengers fame. He is regularly interviewed by newspaper and magazine journalists – maybe he’ll mention his early experiences as a crocodile hunter in Australia or the time his Miami-bound plane was hi-jacked to Cuba!

While on his travels, Michael has handled many wonderful collectors’ items and he is always keen to see all the rare Royal Doulton pieces that have been collected around the world. In Michael’s words, “The passion and enthusiasm of collectors remains a thrill to me. Whether I am renewing acquaintances with long-established collectors or meeting new customers who are discovering the fabulous heritage of Royal Doulton for the first time, I am very proud that the company established by my ancestor is still such a favorite.”

Other articles related to “Michael Doulton”