*British, Royal Doulton, 1989, The Geisha HN3229, Flame Glaze Figurine, Collectors Club Exclusive, by Peggy Davies*
A striking Royal Doulton figurine titled The Geisha, model number HN3229, produced in 1989 exclusively for members of the International Collectors Club. This 24 cm tall, richly glazed figurine is finished in the highly desirable Flame (red and black) glaze, a style pioneered by Charles Noke in the early 20th century and revived in limited editions for collectors.
The figure depicts a Japanese geisha in traditional attire, holding a fan and with a detailed obi tied at the back. Designed and modelled by Peggy Davies, one of Doulton’s most accomplished figurine modellers, this piece is a distinctive blend of Art Deco influence and Doulton’s famed decorative glazes. The base is fully marked with the Royal Doulton stamp, title, model number, and signature of the modeller.
- Model No: HN3229
- Title: The Geisha - Year: 1989
- Glaze: Flame (red/black drip glaze)
- Height: approx. 24 cm; Base diameter: approx. 9 cm
- Marked: Royal Doulton International Collectors Club, copyright 1989, with modeller’s signature
Historical Note:
Royal Doulton’s Flambe and Flame glazed wares originated in the early 1900s under Charles Noke, their chief modeller, who perfected the vivid oxblood red finishes inspired by Chinese Sang-de-boeuf glazes. These bold red and black combinations became highly collectible, and by the 1980s the company issued special revival pieces for the International Collectors Club, often in limited numbers. Figurines like The Geisha combine traditional hand-modelling with this dramatic glaze, making them among the more distinctive late 20th-century Doulton productions.
Peggy Davies (1924–1999) modelled a wide range of figurines for Doulton from 1947 until the 1980s, becoming renowned for her elegant figures and sensitive treatment of historical and cultural subjects.
*Condition*
The figurine is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, or restoration detected. The glaze is rich and glossy with strong colour throughout. Base stamping remains sharp and legible. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
