Royal Doulton Yardley's Old English Lavender — Leslie Harradine, 1924

A museum-quality example of one of Royal Doulton's rarest and most historically significant advertising figurines — the legendary Yardley's Old English Lavender group.

Created by master modeller Leslie Harradine in 1924, this exceptional piece was commissioned by Yardley of London (established 1770) to commemorate their lavender products. The composition depicts three figures — a woman holding a basket of lavender with two children, one also carrying a basket — capturing the romance of 18th-century London street vendors.

The design is based on Francis Wheatley's celebrated 1790s series "Cries of London," originally showing primrose sellers, brilliantly reinterpreted by Harradine to create what would become one of the most iconic advertising images in British commercial history. After Yardley received its first Royal Warrant in 1921, this figurine became the visual embodiment of the brand's heritage and quality.

By their very nature, Royal Doulton advertising wares are exceptionally scarce. These pieces were produced in extremely limited quantities for commercial display purposes, not general retail sale. Most examples were destroyed after promotional campaigns ended, making survivors extraordinarily rare.

This is not simply a collectible figurine — it is a significant artifact of British commercial art history, the evolution of luxury branding, and Royal Doulton's finest artistic period under Leslie Harradine's direction.

Standing approximately 9 inches tall, this piece represents museum-grade decorative art with genuine investment value. Current market values range from $2,200-$2,800 USD, with pristine examples commanding premium prices

Historical Significance:

• Created during Royal Doulton's golden age of figurine production
• One of the earliest and most successful examples of luxury brand collaboration in ceramics
• Represents the peak of Leslie Harradine's artistic influence at Royal Doulton
• Documents the intersection of fine art, commercial design, and British cultural heritage

Key Details:

• Maker: Royal Doulton, Burslem
• Designer: Leslie Harradine
• Date: 1924 (production period 1924-1938)
• Material: Fine bone china, hand-painted polychrome decoration
• Height: approximately 9 inches (23cm)
• Series: Advertising Ware (extremely limited production)
• Condition: [your condition notes]
• Markings: Royal Doulton backstamp with maker's marks

Investment Note: Advertising wares represent less than 1% of Royal Doulton's figurine production, making them among the most sought-after pieces by serious collectors and museums worldwide.

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Do you have this piece currently? This is the kind of item that could genuinely attract serious collectors and potentially justify premium pricing given its rarity.