Royal Doulton Bunnykins

Children throughout the world have enjoyed following the adventures of a family of rabbits and their friends on Bunnykins nurseryware for over 70 years. The first Bunnykins designs were drawn by Sister Mary Barbara. The daughter of Royal Doulton’s General Manager, Barbara Vernon Bailey showed artistic ability from a young age. Her father’s original bedtime stories about foxes and rabbits inspired a series of drawings, and many books were filled with sketches of other animals and countryside scenes.

In the late 1920s and aged 19, Barbara joined the Augustine Order and took the name Sister Mary Barbara. Although most of her time was taken up with teaching, Cuthbert realised that no-one would be better at designing scenes for a fresh series of nurseryware than his daughter. He knew that her sympathy for, and understanding of, children would inform her work. Cuthbert also knew that Barbara’s charismatic and humorous designs would appeal to all age groups, since the drawings at the end of her letters home entertained him.

With permission granted by the Mother Superior, Sister Mary Barbara drew her designs late at night, by candlelight. It’s a scene lovingly lampooned in the piece Sister Mary Barbara Bunnykins. The designs were all that her father could have hoped for, and the charming scenes quickly proved very popular the world over. Bunnykins designs were released informally and precise introduction dates were not recorded, but 46 scenes were available by 1937. Over the next three years the range was extended so that by 1940 some 61 Bunnykins patterns had been launched.

Many of Barbara Vernon’s designs were withdrawn by 1952 and, as Louise Irvine writes in the introduction to The Charlton Catalogue to Royal Doulton Bunnykins, “these are amongst the most desirable today.” Louise continues, “Collectors appreciate her simple designs and the charming subjects which evoke her era, for example one of her bunnies is being dosed with castor oil at Medicine Time. Her quiet sense of humour can also be enjoyed in scenes like Frightening Spider.”

During the 1940s Royal Doulton Designer Walter Hayward gradually took over responsibility for designing Bunnykins scenes, initially following Sister Mary Barbara’s style. Steadily, however, he evolved his own distinct look, including mice and creating more complex designs. Contemporary life inspired him and Bunnies are found watching television, exploring space, and travelling by aeroplane.

Over a 37-year period Walter designed nearly 100 scenes. Additionally, Walter worked on many special commissions including a plate and hug a mug set presented to the late Princess Diana, when she visited the factory in 1984.

More recently, artists Colin Twinn and Frank Endersby have both illustrated series of Bunnykins children’s books as well as creating scenes for nurseryware. In 1995 Frank’s designs were launched. Each was in a series of three themed scenes, a large one for plates and smaller ones for use on the back and front of hollowware such as mugs and egg cups. Themes included fairground, picnics, gardening and bedtime and Frank researched each design to ensure it was in a style typical of the 1930s and 1940s, but also told a story that would entertain children as they ate their meals. Fishing at the Pond, Posting Letters, Beating the Carpet, and Pumping Tyres are all scenes by Frank.

Bunnykins characters are not only found on nurseryware but also as sculptural collectables. Royal Doulton’s Art Director in the 1930s was Charles Noke and he saw the potential of the rabbit characters as a modelled teaset and as figures. Their launch coincided with the outbreak of the Second World War, hence production was short lived, making them rare today.

It was not until 1972 that Bunnykins figures were re-introduced. The first figures were inspired by nurseryware scenes, so Family Photograph was based on the design of the same name by Walter Hayward and Daisie Bunnykins by the Daisy Chain scene.

Designer Harry Sales broadened the range during the 1980s developing fresh Bunnykins characters. Over the last two decades many modellers and designers have made a personal input to the now extensive Bunnykins sculptural collection.

Bunnykins nurseryware and collectable figurines are fun ceramics much loved by the most junior and senior members of the family alike. With its sense of nostalgia, and an eye for contemporary wit, it’s no wonder that Bunnykins is as popular now as it has ever been.