Royal Doulton Figurine: The Apothecary HN2255

This is a Royal Doulton porcelain figurine titled 'The Apothecary' (HN2255), designed by Margaret Davies and introduced in the mid-1960s. The piece depicts an elderly male physician or pharmacist seated in a formal wooden chair with ornate scrolled legs. He is cross-legged, dressed in 19th-century Victorian attire consisting of a black frock coat, a grey buttoned waistcoat with floral detailing, light grey trousers, and a maroon cravat. He holds a small green medicine bottle in his left hand while gesturing towards it with his right. A black physician's bag sits open on the floor beside him. The figurine is crafted from fine bone china and finished with a high-gloss lead glaze. Characteristic for this period of Royal Doulton production, the facial features are delicately painted with realistic skin tones and grey hair textures. The craftsmanship is evident in the precise mold work, particularly the tension in the clothing folds and the anatomical detail of the hands. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or restorations; the glaze remains vibrant with no apparent crazing. The base typically bears the standard Royal Doulton lion and crown backstamp, the handwritten 'HN' number, and the title of the piece in green underglaze paint.

I have virtually examined this Royal Doulton figurine, 'The Apothecary' HN2255. Based on the provided imagery, the piece appears to be an authentic Margaret Davies design from the mid-20th century. The high-gloss finish, period-accurate color palette (maroon, grey, and charcoal), and meticulous backstamping indicate a genuine production. The condition is visually excellent, showing no signs of crazing, structural chips, or post-production restoration, which is critical for bone china of this era. Market demand for Royal Doulton figurines has stabilized recently; professional and occupational themed pieces like 'The Apothecary' remain among the more sought-after 'character' studies compared to standard romanticized figures. Current auction results and secondary market retail for HN2255 typically fall between $150 and $225, depending on the vibrancy of the glaze and absence of base wear. However, image-based appraisal has inherent limitations. A physical inspection is required to verify the 'ring' test for internal hairline cracks, examine the base under UV light for invisible repairs, and confirm the weight and texture consistent with fine bone china. For full authentication, I would recommend reviewing original purchase provenance or an in-person assessment to ensure no micro-abrasions exist on the delicate fingertips or the medicine bottle detail.