~ Royal Doulton 'Simon the Cellarer' Small Character Jug 'In the White', D6041, c.1935–1960 ~
A rare and charming Royal Doulton character jug in the scarce 'in the white' colourway - an undecorated production piece considerably less common than the standard painted version.
Description
This small Royal Doulton 'Simon the Cellarer' character jug is produced in the rare 'in the white' colourway — finished with a clear glaze over the white bone china body, without the hand-painted polychrome decoration seen on standard retail examples.
The jug presents Simon's cheerful medieval face beneath his characteristic hat, with his flowing hair and collar detail rendered in crisp, clean relief. The modelling quality is fully evident in the absence of colour, giving the piece a sculptural presence that standard painted examples cannot quite match. The base bears the Royal Doulton 'Made in England' backstamp with the 'A' quality mark printed in green underglaze - the quality designation used by the factory to indicate first-quality production.
The small size makes this a neat, versatile display piece, equally at home in a dedicated Royal Doulton collection or as a standalone decorative object.
What Are 'In the White' Royal Doulton Jugs?
'In the white' Royal Doulton character jugs are a genuinely rare category. These pieces were made after the Second World War and usually went directly to factory owners and workers rather than entering standard retail distribution. They are consequently scarce, representing a fascinating window into the Doulton production process. Because they were never mass-marketed, far fewer survive than standard coloured examples, and they command a meaningful premium among dedicated collectors.
About Simon the Cellarer
The Royal Doulton character jug Simon the Cellarer was introduced in 1935 and withdrawn in 1960. Designed by Charles J. Noke and Harry Fenton, it depicts a cheerful medieval wine steward, drawn from the popular 19th-century drinking song Simon the Cellarer by W. H. Bellamy. Simon is shown in full Elizabethan costume, complete with a ruffled collar, his expression merry and convivial, reflecting his role as keeper - and taster - of a rare stock of fine wines. easyliveauction
The small size of Simon the Cellarer was produced alongside the large (D5504) throughout the same production period, offering collectors a compact version of this much-loved design. A tiny version of Simon the Cellarer was also one of a set of six tinies issued in 1994 in a limited edition of 2,500 to commemorate the diamond anniversary of the first character jug. bamfords-auctions
Condition
Overall: The jug presents well from a general viewing distance, with the 'in the white' glaze clean and intact across the body, handle, and modelled facial detail.
Hairline Crack: Images 6 and 7 clearly show a hairline crack running from the rim downward through the hat area of the jug. This is the same type of defect present on the large jug, and I must apologise — my previous listing incorrectly described this small jug as having no cracks. That was based on the earlier set of shared images and was an error. These dedicated photographs make the hairline clearly visible and it must be prominently disclosed.
Firing Spot
Image 7 also reveals a small orange-red firing spot on the interior surface near the rim. This is a kiln-related characteristic from original manufacture rather than damage, but should be noted.
Base & Mark
The Royal Doulton 'Made in England' backstamp with the 'A' quality mark is clearly legible and in good condition.
Handle & Exterior
The handle appears fully intact with no chips or repairs visible. The exterior modelling is crisp throughout.
Buyers are encouraged to examine all photographs closely and contact the seller with any questions before purchasing.
