British Ceramic Artware Appraisal

Royal Doulton Character Jug - 'Old Charley' (Small or Miniature)

This item is a vintage ceramic character jug, specifically the 'Old Charley' model produced by Royal Doulton. The jug is crafted from high-quality glazed stoneware or earthenware and features a hand-painted finish. The design depicts a stereotypical 18th-century English night watchman, or 'Charley', characterized by a jovial, ruddy complexion, a prominent bulbous nose, and white curled hair or a wig. He wears a dark green/black tricorn hat that forms the rim and pouring spout of the vessel, with a cream-colored interior. The color palette includes hunter green, deep browns, fleshy ochre tones, and creamy whites. The glaze appears bright and reflective, indicating good vitrification and maintenance over time. Characterized by excellent sculptural detail, the piece showcases fine molding in the hair curls and facial expressions typical of 20th-century English pottery craftsmanship. From this overhead perspective, the condition appears good with no immediate signs of large chips or structural cracks, though fine crazing in the glaze—common for aged Royal Doulton pieces—may be present upon closer inspection. This specific model was first designed by Charles Noke in the early 1930s and remained in production for several decades, making this an iconic example of mid-century British collectible ceramics.