Royal Doulton Figurine Craftsman HN2284

The Craftsman (HN2284) was designed by Mary Nicoll and issued by Royal Doulton from 1961 to 1965, standing 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall as part of the celebrated Professions series. With a production window of just four years, this is one of the shorter runs in a series already known for its scarcity, and it has become one of the more sought-after character studies in the entire HN range.

Nicoll's modelling depicts a woodworker entirely absorbed in his trade — bent over his bench, tools in hand, capturing the quiet concentration of a man doing skilled work the way it has always been done. At just 6 inches, the figure has a compact, weighty presence that suits the subject perfectly: this is not a decorative flourish but a portrait of craft, rendered with the precision and restraint that defined Nicoll's best work. The textures of working life are all here — the worn practicality of the craftsman's clothing, the posture of someone who has spent a lifetime at the bench, the sense of work genuinely in progress.

The Professions series attracted serious collectors from the moment it was introduced, and pieces like The Craftsman — with their four-year production run, strong subject matter, and the authority of Nicoll's modelling — consistently hold their value on the secondary market. Seaway China currently lists this figure at $800 USD, a benchmark that reflects its standing among dedicated HN collectors. Examples in clean condition surface infrequently, and this one is ready for a collection.