Vintage Royal Doulton "Southern Belle" Figurine (HN 2229), Peggy Davies Design, c. 1957 🩰🇬🇧👑

Capture elegance and charm with this exquisite vintage Royal Doulton "Southern Belle" figurine. Crafted in fine bone china, the piece is meticulously hand-painted with a beautiful, multi-colored gown that adds a sense of graceful movement to the figure.

With its specific mark HN 2229 and a copyright date of 1957, this is a documented and highly sought-after artifact of Royal Doulton's legacy. This figure is a top-tier collectible, offering the discerning customer a tangible piece of post-war British artistry.

2. About the Figurine 📖✍️✨

This figurine is a high-end decorative sculpture that captures an elegant moment of a lady holding the sides of her expansive skirt, as if curtsying or preparing to dance. The figure is posed gazing slightly to the side, emphasizing her beauty and grace.

The dress is the artistic focal point, painted in a rich blend of rose-red/pink over an off-white petticoat, with subtle accents of yellow and blue on the ruffles and bows. This museum-quality piece is perfect for a curio cabinet or a collector's display, embodying the timeless elegance and romantic themes of its era.

3. About the Maker: Royal Doulton and the "HN" Mark ✍️🏛️

Royal Doulton is a prestigious English company, celebrated for producing fine bone china since the 19th century. The company received a Royal Warrant and is one of the most recognized porcelain brands globally.

The "HN" mark is named after Harry Nixon, who was the head of the company's painting department. The number "2229" is the model number assigned to this specific design, which was sculpted by Peggy Davies. This system of numbering provides a verifiable and important piece of production history.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This figurine's copyright date of 1957 and its issue date of 1958 place it squarely in the post-war era, a time when Royal Doulton figurines were highly popular and a symbol of British craftsmanship and elegance.

The design reflects the optimism and artistry of its time, capturing the romanticized, flowing fashion of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. This choice in subject matter was a deliberate counterpoint to the more austere mid-century design trends, offering consumers a connection to opulence and traditional European aesthetics. This piece is a genuine historical artifact that reflects the period's love for nostalgic decorative arts.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This RARE figurine will appeal directly to a Serious Royal Doulton Collector who focuses on the popular Peggy Davies Classic Series. The ideal buyer is one who seeks models with a verifiable HN number and excellent aesthetic appeal.

It is also an attractive asset for an Interior Decorator seeking a curated, colorful feminine accent piece for a formal display or mantelpiece. The documented HN 2229 model number and the clean condition ensure this piece is a desirable addition to a collection of high-end vintage porcelain.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This figurine is valuable for its strong brand authentication, its specific model number, and its pristine physical condition. The 1957 copyright date confirms the figurine is approximately 68 years old.

The HN 2229 model was in production for a long period (1958–1997), but its value is sustained by the exquisite hand-painted details, the graceful sculpting by Peggy Davies, and the verifiable markings. The pristine, chip-free condition elevates the piece above common, less-preserved examples found in the general market, making it a desirable purchase for a discerning collector.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This vintage figurine is in excellent, collector-grade condition.

• Structural Integrity: There are no visible chips, cracks, or crazing.

• Vibrant Artistry: The hand-painted colors (pink, yellow, blue, and red) are vibrant, and the glaze is intact, showing no signs of fading or wear.

• Marking: The HN 2229 model number and 1957 copyright date are clearly legible on the base.

• Surface: It is a pristine example of a piece that has been treasured for decades.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Designer: The "Southern Belle" figurine (HN 2229) was designed by Peggy Davies, one of Royal Doulton's most prolific and famous female sculptors.

• Long-Run Popularity: The design was so popular it remained in production for nearly four decades, from 1958 until 1997.

• The Belle Series: The figurine is part of a larger series of "Belle" figures, including Belle (HN 2340) and Belle of the Ball (HN 1997), which captured the elegance of formal wear.

• Model Name: The term "Southern Belle" refers to a young woman from the American South's upper class, often symbolizing grace, beauty, and hospitality, reflecting a cultural motif popular in post-war entertainment.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Item Name: "Southern Belle" Figurine

• Maker/Factory: Royal Doulton

• Model Number: HN 2229

• Designer: Peggy Davies

• Period: Vintage, Post-War (Copyright 1957, Issued 1958–1997)

• Medium/Material: Hand-Painted Bone China

• Decoration: Multi-colored Pink and Yellow Gown

• Origin: England

• Approximate Height: 7.5 inches

• Marking Transcription (Verbatim from Base): MADE IN ROYAL DOULTON ENGLAND / BONE CHINA / Southern Belle. / H.N. 2229. / COPR. 1957. / DOULTON & CO LIMITED / Rd No 885515. / Rd No 36881. / Rd No 7805. / Rd No 263/57.