Royal Doulton | Character Kitten — Sleeping | Bone China Animal Study | HN 2581 | England, 20th century

Sleep is the one posture in which even a cat will permit itself to be completely observed.

Royal Doulton's Character Kitten series, designed by Peggy Davies and produced from 1941 through to 1985, captures six distinct moments of feline life in bone china. HN 2581, the sleeping kitten, is the most tranquil of the group — the body fully relaxed and curled, the head resting on the forepaws, the eyes closed. Where the more animated studies in the series rely on posture and expression, this example depends entirely on the quality of its modelling and the fluency of its painted coat, rewarding close inspection rather than demanding attention.

The figure is modelled lying flat, the body curled inward with the tail drawn around the hindquarters. The head rests forward onto the forepaws, the eyes closed, the ears slightly raised. The colouring is a rich tortoiseshell palette of warm brown, dark chocolate and black, with white to the chest, muzzle and inner forelegs. The brushwork follows the natural lie of the fur with confidence, particularly across the rounded back. The glaze is high and even throughout. The base carries the green printed Royal Doulton lion-over-crown Bone China mark with "Made in England" and "England", together with the hand-painted model number HN 2581.

There are no chips or cracks. The piece is in excellent condition with no condition issues present.

• Maker: Royal Doulton
• Series: Character Kitten
• Title: Sleeping
• Model Number: HN 2581
• Designer: Peggy Davies
• Material: Bone china
• Production Period: 1941–1985
• Country of Origin: England
• Marks: Green printed Royal Doulton Bone China mark; "Made in England"; "England"; HN 2581

Collector Appeal

The sleeping kitten is widely regarded as the most contemplative model in the Character Kitten series, appealing to collectors who favour form and finish over overt animation. Examples in excellent condition without factory seconds marking are consistently sought after, particularly when the glaze and painted coat remain as well preserved as in this piece.

Sleep is the one moment that asks nothing of the viewer — which is precisely why it holds attention longer than anything else.