Bunnykins Royal Doulton One Handled Cup Player Piano Dancing Bunnies Rope Jumping - Mark Circa 1968-1975

ON AUCTION IS A ROYAL DOULTON BUNNYKINS ONE HANDLED CUP. ON THE ONE SIDE IS A BUNNY TURNING A HANDLE ON A SCROLL PIANO WITH LOTS OF BUNNIES DANCING TO THE MUSIC. ON THE OTHER SIDE IS TWO BUNNIES ROPE JUMPING.
 
WITH THE ROYAL DOULTON FINE BONE CHINA MARK ON BOTTOM. THIS BACKSTAMP IS USUALLY FOUND AFTER 1967 UNTILL 1975 WHEN THE, ENGLISH BONE CHINA WAS ADDED AS EARTHENWARE WAS DROPPED IN FAVOUR OF BONE CHINA.  THESE PIECES ARE ALSO NOTICEABLE BY THE CHANGE IN COLOUR, AS THE BONE CHINA IS MORE WHITE COMPARED TO THE CREAM COLOUR OF EARTHENWARE.
 
FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1934, THE BUNNYKINS RANGE HAS BEEN TREASURED FOR GENERATIONS, BLENDING FINE BONE CHINA CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH WHIMSICAL ILLUSTRATIONS THAT BRING CHILDHOOD STORIES TO LIFE. IN 1984 SOME GOLDEN JUBILEE (50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY) ITEMS WERE PRODUCED.
 
SIZE: 10CM WIDE UP TO HANDLE 9CM HIGH
 
CONDITION: IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. NO CHIPS. NO CRACKS. ARTWORK BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL.
 
MARKINGS:
DISTINGUISHABLE ROYAL DOULTON BUNNYKINS FINE BONE CHINA REGD TRADEMARK LOGO
THIS MARK WAS USED BETWEEN 1968 AND 1975
 
BUNNYKINS:
Bunnykins refers to a specific design set produced by the Royal Doulton company. Each piece whether that be a plate, cup, money box, or bowl features rabbits (bunnies) dressed up as a human would dress.
Bunnykins was the companies successful design set produced specifically for children and little hands. Each Bunnykins scene depicts certain aspects of human life in the rabbit form. Many of the artworks were even inspired by famous or well-known people.
The Bunnykins collection first began in 1934 and is today one of the most recognized childrens dinnerware collections in the world. The Bunnykins rabbit designs were hand-drawn by Sister Mary Barbara who was a nun and so happened to be the daughter of Cuthbert Bailey, one of the companies managing directors.
On the earliest Bunnykins pieces, the artist would often sign Barbara Vernon and it is these pieces that are the most valuable to keen collectors. The patterns by Barbara were used to inspire a 1939 figurines collection that was unfortunately short-lived although revived again in 1972. While the Bunnykins are featured not only as figurines, it is these porcelain ornaments that antique and vintage collectors seek out. In total there have been over 400 Bunnykins figurines produced by the Royal Doulton company.
During the 1950s, the Doulton and Co art director at the time, Walter Hayward began producing similar graphics of those designed earlier by Sister Mary Barbara. These drawings were used to produce pieces after 1950.
From 1972 until 1974, the Royal Doulton company used the modeling talent of Albert Hallam who had previously worked designing the Beswick Beatrix Potter collection, to produce 15 Bunnykin collectible figurines. Each figurine measuring approximately 4 inches tall.
From the 1980s, until the present day, Royal Doulton continues to produce Bunnykins pieces all inspired from original artworks and designs. The Bunnykins items were all produced in England up until 2005 when they began being produced in Asia. Pieces in Bunnykins tableware are still made today. Figurines have now been discontinued.
Bunnykins is not to be confused with the nursery rhyme series of Peter the Rabbit inspired by stories and illustrations created by Beatrix Potter for Wedgwood. The first Beatrix Potter pieces were made by the iconic Beswick factory in the late 1940's - and production of the figures continued at Beswick and in turn, Royal Albert for many decades. Beswick and Royal Albert Beatrix Potter are no longer in production, and have become very desirable collectable items. It is interesting to note that it was Beatrix Potter herself who first sought to have her creations lifted off the printed page and into other marketable products. Around about 1907 she modelled some clay figures and contacted Royal Doultons Lambeth factory.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE 3 OTHER ROYAL DOULTON BUNNYKINS ITEMS ALSO ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545