The history of Royal Doulton dates back to 1815 when a London businessman by the name of John Doulton bought a partnership in a little pottery in Lambeth on the banks of the Thames. The company initially traded as Doulton and Watts, producing general stoneware products ranging from inkwells to ginger beer bottles.

In 1835 John's son, Henry, joined the company and the business expanded to produce chemical and industrial ceramics. A new factory was set up in London to manufacture drainpipes to service the emerging sewerage needs of the world's major cities. The Doulton works was known chiefly for its utilitarian stoneware and earthenware until about 1871, when students of the Lambeth School of Art began decorating Doulton's salt-glazed brown stoneware.

Over the next ten years the company shifted its focus towards the decorative end of the market so that by the mid 1880's more than three hundred workers were employed in the production and distribution of a range of high quality works that included vases, figures and other ornaments. Through his vision and entrepreneurial genius Henry Doulton (later Sir Henry) laid the foundations for what is today a thriving international company that distributes and sells its product to 80 different countries.