Royal Doulton | The Old Balloon Seller | HN 1315 | Porcelain Figurine | England, introduced 1929

She has been sitting at the same corner since 1929, and the balloons have never once deflated.

The Old Balloon Seller is among the most recognised and consistently collected figures in the Royal Doulton HN range. Introduced in 1929 and produced for over seven decades, she became an emblem of the series — a figure held in equal regard by collectors and the broader public. The subject reflects the tradition of London street trading, with balloon sellers once a familiar presence in parks, markets, and street corners.

HN 1315 represents the original colourway, the version most often sought after. The backstamp carries the Royal Doulton Made in England mark, without the bone china designation, indicating production within the earlier part of the figure’s long run.

The figure depicts an elderly woman seated on a low stall or box, her posture settled with the quiet assurance of years of work. She wears a dark green skirt beneath a white apron, with a deep burgundy-plum bodice and a green shawl or jacket. A black ribbon is tied neatly at the throat. Her hair is set beneath a dark headscarf adorned with small flowers in yellow, red, and purple. The face is finely modelled, lined and composed, her gaze cast slightly to one side.

In one hand she gathers a dense cluster of balloons, each rendered in vivid tones of purple, yellow, green, orange, and burgundy — the brightest point in the composition. At her side sits a small wicker basket of flowers, delicately picked out in soft colours. The base follows the natural outline of the figure.

Condition

Very good vintage condition. There are no chips, cracks, or repairs. The glaze and colours remain strong and well preserved. There is, however, light age-related crazing visible upon close inspection, primarily confined to the white areas of the skirt/apron. This is not immediately noticeable in display and does not detract from the overall presentation of the piece.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Doulton
• Title: The Old Balloon Seller
• HN Number: HN 1315
• Material: Porcelain
• Origin: Made in England
• Height: 19 cm
• Weight: 659 g
• Introduced: 1929
• Condition: Very good vintage condition with minor age-related crazing

The balloons have outlasted the street corners, the vendors, and the pennies that bought them — a triumph of porcelain and memory.