Royal Doulton – Beswick – Alice in Wonderland Series – Complete Set of Eleven Figures – 1974 onwards

Description

A complete original set of eleven Beswick Alice in Wonderland character figures, produced in England during the 1970s and early 1980s. The collection comprises Alice, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Mock Turtle, Cheshire Cat, Gryphon, Dodo, King of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, Fish Footman and Frog Footman. These eleven figures constitute the full Beswick Alice Series; complete, correctly assembled groups are considerably less frequently encountered than individual characters or partial collections.

The figures are modelled in glazed earthenware and individually hand decorated in the richly coloured, characterful style associated with Beswick’s later production. Their designs draw closely upon Sir John Tenniel’s celebrated illustrations for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, translating the exaggerated expressions, eccentric costumes and anthropomorphic characters into three-dimensional ceramic form. Alice appears in her familiar blue and cream dress, while the White Rabbit wears a brown coat and yellow waistcoat; the Mad Hatter carries his teapot and cup beneath an oversized top hat, and the animal and court figures are rendered with particularly expressive modelling.

The series was introduced following Royal Doulton’s acquisition of Beswick and was manufactured at the Beswick factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The earliest models, including the White Rabbit, Mock Turtle, Mad Hatter and Gryphon, were introduced in 1973, with further characters added during the decade. Individual designs are associated with Beswick modellers including Albert Hallam, Graham Tongue and David Lyttleton. The principal figures remained in production until approximately 1983. For example, the Mad Hatter is model number 2479, the Mock Turtle number 2478, the White Rabbit number 2477, the Gryphon number 2485 and the Frog Footman number 2547.

Complete sets have an attractive visual unity and are increasingly sought after by collectors of Beswick pottery, Lewis Carroll memorabilia and British literary ceramics. Alice is the tallest figure at approximately 12–12.5 cm. Each figure bears the appropriate printed Beswick or Royal Doulton-era factory marking to the underside.

Stock reference: 003951

Condition

Fine vintage condition overall. The figures retain strong colour, a bright glaze and well-defined decoration. No original boxes are included.

Maker:

Beswick, England

Series:

Alice in Wonderland

Date:

Various dates, circa 1974 onwards

Number of figures:

11 – the complete series

Characters:

Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Mock Turtle, Cheshire Cat, Gryphon, Dodo, King of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, Fish Footman and Frog Footman

Height:

Alice approximately 12–12.5 cm; other figures of varying dimensions

Material:

Glazed earthenware ceramic

Construction:

Moulded ceramic figures, individually glazed and hand decorated

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