Overview
These are two delightful English fine bone china nursery plates from Royal Doulton's legendary Bunnykins series, featuring whimsical hand-colored transfer scenes of anthropomorphic rabbits.
Identification
Royal Doulton Bunnykins Fine Bone China Plates
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Introduced in 1934, the Bunnykins line was originally illustrated by Sister Mary Barbara Bailey, a nun and daughter of Royal Doulton's general manager. The line became a beloved staple of English nursery ware, produced continuously on fine bone china in Staffordshire, England, with various whimsical scenes added over the decades. The secondary market for vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins nursery ware is saturated and highly accessible.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Assuming standard vintage condition based on the description, the value relies on the transfer scenes being bright and intact. For items in this mass-produced tier, any chips, hairline cracks, or significant utensil wear to the central hand-colored transfers would render them virtually unsellable.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins nursery ware is saturated and highly accessible. While these pieces hold strong nostalgic appeal, mass production throughout the 20th century means supply easily meets collector demand. Buyers are typically purchasing for casual gifting or personal nostalgia rather than serious investment, keeping prices modest and relatively flat.
Value Drivers
▲ Recognizable Royal Doulton Bunnykins branding ensures a steady baseline of nostalgic demand.
▲ Bundling the plates as a pair maximizes shipping efficiency and buyer appeal for online resale.
▲ Classic, highly detailed transfer scenes (Gardening and Raft) are quintessential to the pattern's charm.
Concerns
▼ Unverified backstamps — later production eras or missing marks can deter buyers looking for specific vintage periods.
▼ Hidden condition issues — any hairline cracks or heavy utensil wear to the central transfers drops value to near zero.
Best Venue
List the plates as a bundled pair on accessible secondary marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Mercari with an optimistic Buy-It-Now price of $20 to $25, expecting offers. Ensure your listing photos clearly show the front scenes and the maker's marks on the back to confirm the era for buyers.
Upside Potential
If the backstamps reveal these to be very early production pieces (e. g., pre-WWII bearing the facsimile signature of Barbara Vernon), the value could shift slightly higher into the $30-$50 range for dedicated collectors.