farmhouse scene with reflective pond, signed, #7665, 6 3/4", excellent...................Charles Noke was a pioneer and highly influential artist for Royal Doulton in the early days of their figurine production. Responsible for launching their renowned HN collection of figurines, Noke's designs are still some of the most collectible in the range.He was born in 1858 in Worcester, England as Charles John Noke. His father was a respected antique dealer with contacts at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company. It is probably little surprise then that Noke showed an early interest in ceramic art and modeling. His interest was supported by R W Binns, the Art Director at Royal Worcester, who would allow the young Noke to visit the factory during school holidays to talk with the employees and watch the artists work. One particular artist who Noke used to enjoy spending time with was modeler James Hadley. Hadley was happy to describe to his young admirer what he was doing as he worked and allowed him to take home some of the modeling clay. Noke is said to have impressed Hadley by bringing back models of a jester and an elephant; far from perfect sculptures, but demonstrating strong potential in the young boy.In 1873, Noke joined Royal Worcester as an apprentice modeler under Hadley. He also enrolled at Worcester College of Design on a part-time basis. Hadley left Royal Worcester midway through Noke's apprenticeship but retained close relationships with the company and Noke, as an independent designer. Noke stayed with Royal Worcester for a total 16 years, eventually becoming responsible for much of the design work that Hadley had previously performed.Noke's work at Royal Worcester caught the eye of John Slater, Art Director at Doulton's Burslem studio. In 1889 Slater offered Noke the position of Chief Designer. Noke was impressed with what Henry Doulton had done and was attracted by the additional artistic freedom the Doulton company encouraged, so he began his career with Royal Doulton.Initially, Noke spent his time at Doulton modeling prestige pieces for exhibitions, with his earliest Doulton pieces being displayed at the 1893 Chicago World Fair. Much of his early work here was incorporated into ornate vases, but some free-standing figurines were also displayed. Doulton and Noke earned praise for their centerpieces in Chicago, but the figurines made little impact at the time. He went on to add to his figurine range, known as the Vellum collection, over the following years, producing more than 20 in all. He also experimented with a range of different products and glaze effects during this period. He is credited with creating Doulton's series-ware, the Kingsware collection and a variety of different flambe wares.Noke had always had an interest in the human form and modeling figurines was clearly his preference. The Potteries had lost much of its earlier reputation for figurine production, but Noke believed it could regain its place as the premier center for ceramic figurine production. At the time, the commercial viability of figurine production was seen as questionable, but Noke managed to convince then Doulton owner, Henry Doulton, that he could design figurines that would sell.In 1909, Noke began assembling a team of freelance designers/sculptors to create what would become the HN range of figurines. The range was officially launched in 1913, with the first production run, in 1912, coinciding with a royal visit by King George and Queen Mary. Queen Mary is said to have commented on the first of the figurines (designed by Charles Vyse) 'Isn't he a little darling?'. This figurine (HN1) was immediately renamed from 'Bedtime' to 'Darling'. Her patronage was certainly a boost for the range.Noke replaced Slater as Art Director in 1914 and he spent the rest of his career at Doulton, until his death, in 1941, at the age of 83. His son, Cecil Jack Noke succeeded him as Art Director.It is impossible to overstate the importance of Noke's role in the growth and success of Royal Doulton. He was an incredibly talented modeler and an equally talented innovator. Let's look at some of his most successful creations for Doulton:Flambe is the name given to the fiery red finish that adorns many of Doulton's finest pieces. It was pioneered over 500 years ago in China, where they used copper oxide to glaze their ceramics. Noke experimented with these effects, along with Slater, Bernard Moore and Cuthbert Bailey, to create Doulton's first flambe finished products for the 1904 St. Louis Exhibition. Continued experimentation, by Noke and collaborators, to better control the various mottled effects, led to the Sung and Chang wares, which debuted in 1920, and Crystalline, Titanian and Chinese Jade.

excellent