Ceramic Portraits: The Georganna Yeager Johns Collection of Royal Doulton Character Jugs

On view at the Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature, University of Richmond Museums, October 5, 2007 through September 21, 2008, is the exhibition, Ceramic Portraits: The Georganna Yeager Johns Collection of Royal Doulton Character Jugs.

The Royal Doulton company introduced character jugs into their line of ceramic decorative items in 1934. Noted for their details and creativity, these vessels depict figures from history, military, royalty, celebrities from the performing arts, characters from literature, and other themes from popular culture. The exhibition includes a selection of the jugs from the recent gift of Col. Leo D. Johns of his wife's extensive collection to the museum.

The foundation for Royal Doulton was laid in 1815, when John Doulton (1793-1873) and his partner, John Watts, bought a small stoneware factory in Lambeth, England. Originally, Doulton and Watts produced a line of utilitarian items, including bottles, jars, tobacco containers, and butter dishes, as well as a few traditional brown tobies.

Doulton, along with his son, Henry Doulton (1820-1897), began to develop the business, extending their products to include decorative, commemorative, and artistic pottery. In 1871, they aligned the company with the Lambeth School of Art, London, and the firm became a primary source of artistic ceramic production during the Victorian era. These innovations caught the attention of the Royal Family and in 1901, the factory was granted a Royal Warrant by King Edward VII, allowing the company to adopt the name, Royal Doulton, which continues to manufacture fine ceramics today. Highlights of the exhibition include jugs representing leaders from history, characters from literature and life, as well as fantastical and mystical personalities, including the popular double-sided characters, limited editions, and numerous "tinies," or miniature jugs.

Organized by the University of Richmond Museums, the exhibition was co-curated by Nan Goff, '07, and Amanda Doss, '07, art history majors, University of Richmond. This exhibition is presented concurrently with a display of Royal Doulton character jugs in the lobby of Booker Hall, Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond.