POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Digger' figurine by Royal Doulton

Object No. 96/399/1

Figure, 'Digger', porcelain, designed by Ernest W Light, made by Doulton and Co, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, 1915-1938

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Summary

Physical Description

Figure, 'Digger', porcelain, Ernest W. Light/Royal Doulton, Burslem, England, 1915-1938. A slip-cast, bone china figure, hand-painted in khaki enamel under a clear glaze. The standing figure is a young Australian digger, dressed in military uniform, complete with the rising sun insignia on his slouch hat. The young soldier looks forward, with both hands in the pockets of his breeches, and his right foot slightly forward. The figure is positioned on a dark green enamel circular base, which has the word 'DIGGER' incised at the front of the base. Incised on the left hand side of the base is the word 'LIGHT', the word incised on the right hand side is illegible [possibly 'NORL', 'NORE', 'MARE', or 'HORSE'].

DIMENSIONS

Height

300 mm

Diameter

110 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Modelled by Ernest W. Light (active at Doulton, Burslem, 1912-1918). Light was a sculptor and modeller who produced a number of figure designs for Doulton. He lived in Hanly and was 'master in charge' at Stoke School of Art from 1920-1932. First produced at Doulton (Burslem) during the First World War. Sold until about 1938. There were two versions of Australian Digger produced: one painted in khaki enamel and one with green Titanian glaze. John Shorter also recalls seeing a version with gold buttons (He saw only one example).

HISTORY

Notes

Purchased by vendor from a deceased St Ives resident.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 1996

Acquisition Date

17 December 1996

Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.

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