Royal Doulton | Dickens Ware 'Tony Weller' | Miniature Ashtray | D5175 | England

Royal Doulton | Dickens Ware ‘Tony Weller’ | Miniature Ashtray | D5175 | England

Tony Weller stands in the yard with his whip, as though the coach were already late.

Dickens Ware was a Royal Doulton range of everyday pieces printed and hand-coloured with characters from Charles Dickens. Most of it was made under the artistic direction of Charles Noke, the firm’s art director and a keen admirer of Dickens. Tony Weller is the stout coachman of The Pickwick Papers, and father of Sam Weller.

The small round dish has two cigarette rests in the rim. In the centre, Tony Weller stands in a greatcoat, red scarf and hat, holding his coach whip, with an inn yard and buildings behind him. The scene is printed in black and coloured by hand in green, red and ochre, and the rim shades from orange to cream.

Excellent condition. No chips, cracks, crazing or restoration.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Doulton, England
• Range: Dickens Ware
• Pattern reference: D5175
• Subject: Tony Weller, from The Pickwick Papers
• Material: glazed earthenware
• Marks: printed lion and crown backstamp “Made in England Royal Doulton England”, “Tony Weller” in script, and a faint painted number
• Date: c. 1930 or later (backstamp)
• Dimensions: diameter 7.7 cm; height 2 cm
• Weight: 36 g
• Condition: excellent
• Buyer profile: collectors of Royal Doulton series ware and Dickens Ware, and readers of Dickens

Collector Appeal

Alongside the better-known plates, Dickens Ware was made in small everyday forms such as this ashtray, which carries a full scene in a compact size.

The coaches have gone, but Tony Weller is still waiting in the yard.