Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a delightful pair of English fine bone china baby bowls from Royal Doulton's legendary Bunnykins series. One bowl features a whimsical scene of rabbits gathered around a space rocket, while the other depicts a bustling domestic scene of rabbits doing laundry.
Story
Introduced in 1934, the Bunnykins line was originally illustrated by Barbara Vernon, a nun and daughter of the Royal Doulton general manager. The series became a staple of British and international nurseries throughout the 20th century. These specific bowls, featuring the 'Rocket' and 'Wash Day' scenes, are classic examples of the mid-to-late century production runs that expanded the whimsical rabbit universe.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Based on the provided description, the bowls appear to be in good vintage condition with the iconic running rabbit borders and central decals intact. Value in these pieces is highly dependent on the absence of chips, cracks, or excessive utensil wear, which can easily degrade the central image.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins tableware is highly saturated but maintains steady, nostalgic demand. Buyers are typically grandparents or collectors looking for specific scenes to complete sets or gift to new parents. While rare early pieces command premiums, standard mid-to-late 20th-century production pieces move best as accessible, daily-use items on platforms like eBay and Etsy.
▲ Iconic Bunnykins branding and running rabbit border ensure immediate buyer recognition.
▲ The 'Rocket' space scene is a popular motif that adds cross-over appeal for space-themed nurseries.
▲ Bone china construction from a legacy English maker maintains a baseline quality premium over generic ceramics.
▼ Unverified base stamps — missing or heavily worn maker's marks would reduce collector confidence and value.
▼ Hidden utensil wear or fading to the central decals would drop the set into the lower $15-$20 utility tier.
Best Venue
List the bowls together as a bundled pair on eBay or Etsy. Selling them as a single lot maximizes the return against shipping costs and platform fees, which often eat into the margins of individual $15 sales. Price the pair at $40 with offers accepted to attract buyers looking for a ready-made starter set or nostalgic gift.
Upside Potential
If the base stamps reveal these to be earlier, rarer production runs (such as those bearing the facsimile signature of original artist Barbara Vernon), the value of the pair could shift into the $75+ collector tier.