Antique (1900-1913) Grafton & Sons Crested China Lord Kitchener Bust with Durban Crest

ON AUCTION IS AN ANTIQUE (CIRCA 1900-1913) GRAFTON & SONS CRESTED CHINA (HERALDIC SOUVENIR WARE) LORD KITCHENER BUST.
 
The bust has an inscription to the reverse commemorating his life as follows: Lord Kitchener of Khartoum Creator of British Army 1914, 1916. Born June 24th. 1850. Died serving his Country June 5th 1916 By the sinking of H.M.S. Hampshire off the Orkneys. The model features the DURBAN crest to the front. 
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IT HAS A GRAFTON & SONS WITH ABJ STAMP ON BOTTOM. A.B. Jones & Sons Ltd operated from around 1900, using the "Grafton" trade name. The specific mark "Grafton China" with "ABJ" letters in the knot and "& SONS, ENGLAND" dates the production of items to between 1900 and 1913. Lord Kitchener was a prominent figure during this period, particularly following his role in the Second Boer War (1899-1902) and his appointment as Commander-in-Chief in India (1902-1909), making figurines of him a timely souvenir.
 
SIZE:
5.5CM WIDE 4CM DEEP 10.5CM HIGH
 
CONDITION: NO CHIPS. NO CRACKS. GOOD CONDITION.
 
STAMP: GRAFTON & SONS
 
ROYAL GRAFTON BY AB JONES & SONS (1900-1970): 
Royal Grafton, rather than a pottery, is actually a trade name for the pottery AB Jones & Sons. Based in Longton, Alfred Bailey Jones first started in 1876. But it was only in 1900 that the Grafton Works was built, from where the trade name and backstamp was taken later. A little later his two sons joined him in the business. Alfred died in 1940 leaving the business in the hands of his two sons. In 1966 Grafton was sold to Crown House Glass Ltd and then sold again in 1970 to New Zealand based Crown Lynn Potteries Ltd upon which Royal Grafton was renamed Crown Lynn Ceramics (UK) Ltd. The Royal Grafton name was still used from the 1970s through to the 2000s. Today Royal Grafton remain independent of the Wedgwood Group offering great choice and designs in bone china dinnerware.
 
CRESTED CHINA:
Crested china, also known as heraldic souvenir ware, refers to small porcelain ornaments popular as souvenirs in Britain from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, often sold at tourist locations. These ivory-colored pieces were decorated with the heraldic crest or coat of arms of the specific town or region where they were sold. The hobby was a craze during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, peaking before World War I. 
The hobby became a popular craze for the upper working and lower-middle classes, who bought them as mementos of their travels and day trips.
Production continued during WWI, with makers creating new, war-themed designs like tanks and famous wartime figures. The popularity declined after the war.
Notable companies that made crested China include WH Goss, Arcadian, Grafton, Shelley, Swan, and Carlton. 
 
LORD KITCHENER (1850-1916):
Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum (18501916), was a prominent Anglo-Irish British Army officer and colonial administrator. He gained fame for his imperial campaigns in the Sudan (Khartoum)  and South Africa, and later played a central role as Secretary of State for War during the early part of World War 1 becoming the face of the iconic "Your Country Needs You" recruitment poster. 
During the Second Boer War, Kitchener arrived in South Africa in 1899 and became commander-in-chief in 1900. He employed controversial tactics, including a "scorched earth" policy and the use of concentration camps, which resulted in significant deaths among Boer civilians. He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Vereeniging, ending the war in 1902. Upon his return to England, he was made Viscount Kitchener of Khartoum and of the Vaal.  Durban, as a vital port in the Natal Colony, was important to the British war effort. 
Kitchener held commands in India and Egypt before becoming Secretary of State for War at the start of World War I. He accurately foresaw a prolonged conflict. He died in June 1916 when his ship, HMS Hampshire struck a mine off the Orkney Islands. His body was not recovered

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