This Royal Doulton Phantom of the Opera Sample Character Jug recently sold on eBay for £980 on 11 February 2025. This striking and highly collectible ceramic piece  portrays the iconic figure from Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel and its many adaptations, most notably the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. What makes this piece especially rare is that it is a sample jug—never officially issued for public sale—featuring a blue mask and blue curtain handle.

Royal Doulton is renowned for producing character jugs that celebrate figures from literature, history, and entertainment. The Phantom of the Opera jug follows this tradition but stands out due to its limited production. The blue-masked version was created as a prototype or colour trial, which means very few examples exist, typically retained for reference or internal review by Royal Doulton designers.

The standard production version, which featured a red mask and red curtain handle, was the only version made widely available to the public. As a result, collectors place a premium on this blue variation, considering it a grail item due to its rarity and distinctive colourway.

The Phantom’s dramatic mask and theatrical curtain-shaped handle capture the essence of the mysterious and tragic figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House. The blue palette lends the jug a cooler, more ghostly aesthetic than its red counterpart, emphasising the Phantom’s haunting presence.

With its detailed sculpting, vivid hand-painted glazes, and scarcity, this sample jug is a fine example of Royal Doulton’s craftsmanship and a treasure for character jug collectors. Its recent £980 eBay sale underscores the strong demand for prototype and trial pieces within the Royal Doulton collecting community.

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