Vintage Royal Doulton “Nestling Down” Flambé Swan Sculpture Hn3538

Details

Description

Dramatic vintage Royal Doulton “Nestling Down” HN3538 sculpture from the Images of Fire collection, designed by Adrian Hughes and produced … Read more Dramatic vintage Royal Doulton “Nestling Down” HN3538 sculpture from the Images of Fire collection, designed by Adrian Hughes and produced in England during the late 20th century.

The large sculptural composition depicts a pair of intertwined swans, one rising dramatically with wings spread while its companion nestles below. Royal Doulton’s brilliant flambé glaze gives the sculpture its intense ruby-red surface, deepening to near-black along the beaks, eyes, feathers, and extremities. The flowing silhouettes and glossy saturated color make the piece feel remarkably contemporary despite its 1980s origins.

Royal Doulton developed its celebrated flambé wares from reduction-fired glazes inspired by East Asian ceramics, creating unpredictable tonal variations from brilliant scarlet through burgundy and black. The Images of Fire series applied this distinctive finish to large, expressive animal sculptures, making the glaze an integral part of their dramatic forms.

The underside bears the Royal Doulton Images of Fire backstamp, title “Nestling Down,” model HN3538, and a hand-painted A.M. artist/decorator mark. The model was designed by Adrian Hughes and is documented as having been issued from approximately 1988–1996.

Dimensions: 11.5" L × 9.25" W × 8" H
Designer: Adrian Hughes
Maker: Royal Doulton
Model: HN3538, “Nestling Down”
Collection: Images of Fire
Date: Circa 1988–1996
Origin: England See less