The Royal Doulton Company is primarily known for collectables and tableware, its English history dates back to 1815. Its reputation grew in The Potteries section of London when in 1871 Henry Doulton, the son of John Doulton ( one of the original partners of Martha Jones and John Watts) launched a studio at the Lambeth pottery and offered work to the artists and designers from the local art school. With the creative artistic input from these associates including the Barlow family, Frank Butler, Eliza Simmance, George Tinworth and Mark Marshall, Doulton was able to purchase a small factory at Nile Street in Burslem, Staffordshire in 1882.

Figurines, vases ,decorative pieces and jugs played a prominent role in the success of the of the Doulton kilns and they became a popular supplier of stoneware and ceramics. As well as the general public, Queen Victoria ordered pieces sent to Windsor Castle. Having attracted the attention of the royal family, the factory was granted a Royal Warrant by King Edward VII in 1901. This resulted in the company adopting bold new markings featuring a lion and crown and there new name, Royal Doulton. The Royal Warrant is regarded as a mark of supreme excellence and quality, it can only be awarded and cannot be bought or sold.

During the 20th century the company was known for its high quality bone china along with many new products. Today its versatility includes dinnerware, giftware, cookware, porcelain, glassware, collectibles, jewelry, linens, curtains and lighting, among other items. Its three key brands are Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Minton. Together, the three brands make up Doulton Home, which is now part of the Waterford Wedgwood Group. In 1960 Royal Doulton introduced a new product called English Translucent China (Fine China), the company was the first to be awarded the Queens Technical Achievement Award in 1966 for its contribution to china manufacturing.

Mention the name "Royal Doulton" and most will immediately speak of the company's more commonly known lines the figurines, animals, character jugs, tobies and bumpkins. In reality this venerable British company has produced a wide variety of products in its nearly 200 year history, from sewer pipes to whisky flasks. The original Lambeth factory was closed in 1956 and the Nile Street factory closed in September, 2005. Although there is a move to return production to England, almost all pieces are made in Indonesia with the exception of a few items still being produced by the parent company Waterford Wedgwood in Barlaston. Today Royal Doulton provides a wide range of domestic tableware in Bone and Fine China.