1972 ROYAL DOULTON BUNTIE BUNNYKINS HELPING MOTHER FIGURE

1972 Royal Doulton Buntie Bunnykins Helping Mother Figure

Royal Doulton Bunnykins in their present form were introduced in 1972. Their concept was created by Barbara Vernon Bailey who was a nun. In the 1930s, Sister Mary Barbara regularly sent home sketches of a rabbit family to her father, Cuthbert Bailey, who was the general manager of Royal Doulton’s factory in Burslem, Stoke on the Trent.

Bunnykins nurseryware was introduced in 1934. It consisted of tableware pieces. The first decorative items were introduced in 1939 as a family of rabbits – the first Bunnykin figures. The production of these figures was short with the outbreak of World War II ending the production of most decorative ceramic figures.

It was not until the early 1970s that the idea of Bunnykins figures was again considered. Between 1972 and 1974 fifteen models were introduced and the 50th anniversary of Bunnykins was celebrated in 1984.

Buntie Bunnykins measures 3 1/2 inches high

Titled “Helping Mother”

Designed by Walter Hayward

Version 1 DB2

Production date: 1972-1993

1998 Bunnykins Price Guide listed the value of this piece as $100.00 to $130.00 over ten years ago

Piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or crazing

Stamped on the bottom with the Royal Doulton seal

Also marked on the bottom:

Buntie Bunnykins