This stunning lamp was made with a Royal Doulton Chang vase mounted in a wrought iron base. Royal Doulton started producing Chang ware around 1920 and as you can see by this example, the results were amazing. Decorated with heavy colored glazes, the bulbous form is covered with a thick lava crust of white glaze dripping over shades of red, green and blue glazes.
The base of this piece is marked Chang and Royal Doulton as shown in our photos. Also included are the artist monogram for Harry Nixon together with Noke, for either Charles or Jack Noke, who succeeded his father as art director in the late 1930’s. The addition of Noke’s name signified the quality such work achieved. In addition to these marks is F. Allen for Fred Allen or Frank Allen, also involved with the Chang ware series.
This lamp appears to be original and from the period. We found no mention of Royal Doulton producing lamps, so this may have been made at the time by another maker or artist using the Chang vase. The vase is mounted in a hand wrought iron base with a hole drilled in the vase for an electrical cord. The sockets at the top appear to be later and were most likely changed when the lamp was rewired. For a detailed description of the condition, read the remarks below.
Royal Doulton which was founded in 1815, produced a wide range of ceramics over the years, including this line known as “Chang Ware.” It’s said to be inspired by traditional Chinese pottery, which was produced during the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD). These pieces were fired at very high temperatures, giving them their volcanic like appearance. Royal Doulton introduced these commercially around 1925 in response to popular demand for eastern style ceramics.
The thickly textured, brightly colored crackle glazes were developed by Charles J. Noke, Doulton’s Art Director, as part of his experimentation into Chinese flambé glazes during the 1920s. The glazes were primarily applied by H. Nixon and F.Allen.
MAKER: Royal Doulton
SERIES: Chang Ware
SIGNED: Chang Royal Doulton, Noke, HN Monogram and F. Allen
PERIOD: 1920’s – 1930’s
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
MATERIALS: Hand crafted glazed earthenware pottery.
CONDITION: Overall very nice condition with very minor wear consistent with age and use. The vase has overall crazing to the surface. There is a chip on the bottom edge of the vase, which is hidden by the lamp base. This can be seen in the separate vase photos. The wrought iron base and stem have a natural warm patina. Lamp appears to have been rewired within the last 40 years and is in working condition.
LAMP
HEIGHT: 25.25 in. (64 cm)
WIDTH: 10 in. (25 cm)
DEPTH: 9.75 in. (25 cm)
VASE
HEIGHT: 8.75 in. (22 cm)
DIAMETER: 7.25 in. (18 cm)
