Royal Doulton Soldiers of the Revolution Complete Set 13 Figures Edition 59/350 with COA.

The Soldiers of the Revolution is without question one of the most ambitious and prestigious undertakings in the history of Royal Doulton figurine production. Conceived as a contribution to the American Bicentennial of 1976, the project began in 1969 — six years before the first piece reached the public — when Royal Doulton entered into formal collaboration with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, one of the most respected historical institutions in the United States. The Foundation sponsored the exhaustive archival research required to authenticate every detail of uniform, weaponry, and regimental insignia for each of the thirteen original states. Only when military historians had verified the accuracy of every element did work on the sculptures begin.

The collection was modelled by Eric Griffiths, Director of Sculpture at Royal Doulton, working alongside Bill Harper. Griffiths chose to work in wax rather than clay throughout — a more demanding medium, but one that preserved the finest surface detail through the casting process. Only master craftsmen were entrusted with joining the castings, and the painting was carried out by Royal Doulton's most senior decorators using ceramic colours specially formulated to replicate the authentic tones of late eighteenth century military textiles. Each figure stands as a complete historical document in fine English bone china — a Private of the Massachusetts Regiment, a Corporal of the 1st New Hampshire, a Captain of the 2nd New York, a Sergeant of the 6th Maryland, and ten further soldiers, each in the authenticated uniform of his state and regiment.

The edition was strictly limited to just 350 sets worldwide — one of the most restrictive production limits Royal Doulton ever imposed on a series of this scale. This set is number 59 of that edition, and is accompanied by the complete set of thirteen original Certificates of Authenticity — an intact provenance record that is as rare as the set itself, and which confirms both the edition number and the legitimacy of each individual sculpture. Issued between 1975 and 1977, the Soldiers of the Revolution have been recognised by collectors and institutions alike as a masterpiece of historical ceramic art. A complete matched set at a low edition number with full documentation intact is among the rarest assemblages in the Royal Doulton canon — such sets come to market only a handful of times in any given decade.

This complete matched set of thirteen, edition number 59 of 350, with complete Certificates of Authenticity, is offered in excellent condition and will be packed individually with professional-grade materials using double-box technique. We ship worldwide.