The Doulton Company, which would later become Royal Doulton after King Edward VII conferred an honorable royal warrant upon the pottery studio, was founded in 1815. The first art pottery was produced at Lambeth just outside of London and Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent, England during the 1880's. Charles Noke, who became Royal Doulton's Art Director and one of the most prolific artists associated with the company, was responsible for modeling a majority of the early figurines and character studies. Since Royal Doulton's founding, thousands of unique hand sculpted figures have been created during the company's esteemed legacy of excellence. Countless hand sculpted variations of animals, figures, Beatrix Potter characters, Bunnykins, Flambé, Kingsware, Character and Toby Jugs, have become the signature art wares associated with the company.