Royal Doulton | Forty Winks | HN 1974 | Bone China Figurine | England, COPR 1945

There is more dignity in an old woman asleep in her chair than in a great many people who are wide awake.

The figurine range produced by Royal Doulton at its Burslem factory stands among the most enduring traditions in British ceramics. The HN series — named after Harry Nixon, the factory’s head of painting — began in 1913 and grew to encompass a wide range of subjects, from historical figures to quietly observed scenes of domestic life. Forty Winks, introduced in 1945, belongs to this latter group: studies of everyday moments, handled with restraint and a close attention to character. The design was registered under RdNo 842483 and produced by Doulton & Co Limited.

The figure depicts an elderly woman dozing in a broad, peach-toned armchair. She wears a white bonnet tied beneath the chin, a green shawl with a finely painted fringed border draped over a red blouse, a white apron, and a teal-green skirt. Her right hand rests open in her lap, glasses in hand, her head inclined forward in sleep. At her feet sits a small black cat, quietly alert — a detail that anchors the composition.

The modelling of the face is particularly well resolved, capturing both age and repose in the slight tilt of the head and the softened expression. The painted detail of the shawl’s border and the restrained palette of the figure as a whole reflect the standard of finish associated with mid-century production.

There are no chips, cracks, crazing, or restoration. The glaze and painted decoration remain intact and well-preserved throughout. The piece is in excellent condition.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Doulton
• Title: Forty Winks
• HN Number: HN 1974
• Registration Number: RdNo 842483
• Copyright: 1945
• Backstamp: "Forty Winks" / H.N.1974 / RdNo 842483 / COPR 1945 / Doulton & Co Limited / Royal Doulton Made in England
• Height: 17.3 cm
• Weight: 510 g
• Condition: Excellent — no chips, cracks, crazing, or restoration

Collector Appeal

Figures such as Forty Winks represent a distinct and enduring category within the output of Royal Doulton — character studies that prioritise observation over ornament. Introduced in 1945 and produced over an extended period, the model remains one of the more recognisable and quietly sought-after figures in the HN range. Examples retaining strong colour, fine detail, and free from damage continue to hold consistent appeal among collectors, particularly those drawn to the more narrative and domestic subjects within the series.

The cat at her feet is awake. Someone in the room always is.