Royal Doulton Character Jug Williamsburg Blacksmith D6578 1962 Registered Design

Glazed ceramic jug by Royal Doulton
Features the Blacksmith from the Williamsburg series
D6578 with 1962 copyright and registered design numbers
Gloss glazed with hand painted detail throughout
Maker’s mark and registration details to the underside

Approximate dimensions: Height – 100mm (4")

Condition
In good condition. The glaze has an even gloss finish, and the hand painted decoration is well defined. No chips or cracks are visible. The impressed “BLACKSMITH” text at the back is clear. Maker’s marks on the underside remain fully legible.

Description
This is a glazed ceramic character jug modelled as a bust of a blacksmith, produced by Royal Doulton as part of the Character Jugs from Williamsburg series. The jug depicts a head-and-shoulders figure with softly modelled facial features, wearing a red cap and an ivory shirt with apron straps tied in a bow at the back. His hair is pulled into a tied queue, secured with a black ribbon.

The jug handle is formed as a blacksmith’s anvil in glossy black glaze, with a wood-effect hammer handle rising against the side of the cap to complete the loop. The reverse lower edge is moulded with the word BLACKSMITH in incised script. The interior is cream glazed.

The underside bears the Royal Doulton printed circular lion-over-crown mark with the wording “MADE IN ENGLAND • ROYAL DOULTON • ENGLAND” together with the title “Character Jugs from Williamsburg – Blacksmith” and model number D6578. The copyright year 1962 and registered design numbers are also included, confirming official registration of the design in Britain.

Royal Doulton, established in Lambeth, London in 1815 and later moving production to Burslem and Stoke-on-Trent, became one of the best-known names in British ceramics. The Williamsburg series of character jugs was produced in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, reflecting trades and crafts of the 18th-century American town.

This jug is a good example of mid-20th-century Royal Doulton earthenware. With a height of 100mm, it is suitable not only as a collectable character jug but also as a decorative display piece on a shelf or desk, or could be used for holding small desk items such as pens or brushes.

Item specifics

• Age: Mid-20th century, designed and issued 1962

• Manufacturer: Royal Doulton

• Model: Blacksmith, D6578

• Series: Character Jugs from Williamsburg

• Material: Glazed ceramic (earthenware/stoneware)

• Dimensions: Height approx. 100mm (4")

Suggested Style: Traditional
Suggested Pattern: Hand Painted

Royal Doulton Character Jug Blacksmith Williamsburg Series D6578 1962 Marked