(3) Different Duck Sculptures. One is labeled "A Wildfowl Counterfeit," referring to the legendary Ward Brothers (Lem and Steve Ward), self-proclaimed "Wildfowl Counterfeiters in Wood," and the subsequent Royal Doulton porcelain figurine collection inspired by their realistic duck decoy carvings, which this piece is identified by their logo and as female mallard. Another is a more abstract, stylized, long-necked piece with carved lines and minimal colors, signed on the underside by B. Vallien for Rorstrand. The last piece has no markings, but appears to be a Crowning Touch Collection Decoy Duck, number WHD 7702, made of wood and painted with blue and black tones.
Largest Size: 3 1/4 x 3 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.
The Crowning Touch Collection was a popular line of decorative gifts and porcelain keepsakes produced and sold primarily by Hallmark during the 1980s and 1990s. Marketed under the “Special Gifts” category, the line featured a handcrafted, detailed aesthetic and included items like musical figurines, bisque porcelain wall plates, trinket boxes, and ceramic kitchenware.
Founded in 1726, Rörstrand is Sweden’s historic porcelain manufacturer and Europe’s second-oldest ceramic brand. Owned by the Fiskars Group, it defines Scandinavian tableware design through timeless classics like Swedish Grace, Mon Amie, and Ostindia. Though active production in Sweden ended in 2005, the brand remains a cornerstone of Nordic design, with many iconic sculptures and dining pieces collected around the world.
Royal Doulton, an English ceramic and home accessories manufacturer, began in 1815 as a partnership trading utilitarian salt glaze stoneware as Jones, Watts & Doulton in Lambeth, London. Following Martha Jones’s departure and a merger, the firm became Doulton & Co. in 1854, although the trading name Doulton & Watts persisted for decades. In 1882 the company opened a factory in Burslem to produce bone china, a market it successfully adapted to despite being a latecomer compared to competitors like Wedgwood and Spode. By 1897 the various Doulton family businesses were reunified, employing over 4,000 workers, and a royal warrant in 1901 cemented the name Royal Doulton and enhanced its brand recognition. The company diversified into several brands, including Royal Albert and Mintons, which were eventually acquired by WWRD Holdings Limited. After the Burslem factory's demolition in 2014, the Finnish company Fiskars Corporation acquired all WWRD assets in 2015, and today Royal Doulton continues to produce tableware, figurines, and various home accessories.
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