Royal Doulton Figurine Sea Harvest hn2257

Royal Doulton Sea Harvest HN2257 was modelled by Mary Nicoll, one of the most accomplished character sculptors in Royal Doulton's post-war studio. Where much of Nicoll's output drew on the English countryside — huntsmen, equestrians, figures of rural life — she brought the same grounded authenticity to the coast with the Sea Characters series. These are not romantic idealisations of maritime life but closely observed portraits of working men, and Sea Harvest is among the finest of them.

Standing 7½ inches tall, Sea Harvest depicts a rugged, bearded fisherman in the act of hauling his net — caught mid-effort, his posture carrying the weight and resolve of a man who has done this work every day of his life. He wears a blue coat, tan trousers, and black sea boots, his traditional hat set squarely on his head. The modelling is richly detailed throughout, from the texture of the net to the set of his jaw, and the hand-painted gloss finish gives the piece the warm, weathered tones of the working harbour.

Sea Harvest HN2257 was produced from 1969 to 1976, a seven-year run now nearly half a century behind us. The Sea Characters series as a whole has attracted a loyal and dedicated collector following, drawn to the series' unflinching portrayal of maritime working life — a subject Royal Doulton treated with a seriousness and dignity rarely found in comparable ceramics of the period. Sea Harvest, as one of the most immediately compelling figures in the series, is consistently among the first pieces sought out by new collectors entering the category.

This figurine is offered in excellent condition and is packed with care