One of the finest artists ever to work at the renowned English porcelain company, Royal Worcester, was Harry Davis (1885-1970). Davis was known for his versatility, painting fish, various other animals, and superb landscapes, both rural and urban.
Born in Worcester in 1885, Davis was the third generation to work for the Worcester works; his father was a figure modeller and his grandfather, Josiah Davis, was a talented gilder. Harry joined Royal Worcester at just 13 years old, subsequently being apprenticed to Ted Salter in 1899.
Davis’ initial training commenced under his grandfather who taught him how to draw. Salter then taught him the more complex skills required to master the Highland landscapes which he reproduced so skilfully, emulating the work of Jean Baptiste Camille Corot.
Due to his immense artistic ability, during the 1920s, when Worcester received important special commissions, often it was Davis who was asked to complete them. For example, in 1923 Royal Worcester received a prestigious £7,000 order for a service from His Highness Shri Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar. It was completed by Davis and included 24 beautiful scenes of India and England.
Perhaps more known to Worcester collectors is the collaboration between Davis and Harry Stinton in 1928 to complete a service of 25 dinner plates, 25 dessert plates, and 25 cups and saucers for Mr Kellogg of cereal fame. Davis painted the dessert plates and cups and saucers with delicate Corot style misty landscapes. These scenes were based on a book in the Worcester factory library, ‘Les Paysages de Corot’ Editions du ‘Studio’, published in Paris in 1913.
Also in 1928, Davis succeeded William Hawkins as the foreman painter, taking on teaching duties as well as his prodigious output. He also designed quite a number of patterns and painted trial models of three-dimensional figures being produced by the factory. Royal Worcester also produced presentation pieces for famous identities of the day such as Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Donald Bradman which were completed by Davis.
Harry Davis worked for Royal Worcester for a total of 71 years, and stated that during his time at the factory he had been extremely happy. Despite his surprise that anyone should want to collect his pieces, it is a testament to his artistic virtuosity that aside from the technical masterpieces of George Owen, the most expensive Royal Worcester sold at auction in recent times in Australia have been pieces painted by Harry Davis.
Showing the great skills of Harry Davis to full advantage, we will be offering a fine large vase in our upcoming July Decorative Arts Auction, depicting a shepherd with horse and cart feeding sheep in a snowy landscape.
By Anthony Hurl, South Australia Representative Specialist
Top Image: A Royal Worcester two handled pedestal vase, depicting a shepherd with horse and cart feeding sheep in a snowy landscape, signed “H. (Harry) Davis”, shape number 1969, dated 1910, 40.6cm high. $10,000-15,000
June 2026