The miniature statue was created by the sculptor Carolyn Morton, who is currently on a trip to New York due to the interest the figurine has generated.
However, the grey figure is far from the finished article and is unpainted and unvarnished. When complete, it is understood it will retail for £199 plus a £20 reservation fee.
However, Dickie Arbiter, a former aide to the Queen, reportedly told the Daily Mail: “It is horrible, absolutely dreadful.
“Anyone who spends that kind of money on it needs their head examined. It is cashing in without any taste. It is the sort of thing that belongs on a naff mantelpiece of a soap opera.”
The figurine depicts the Duchess on her exit from Westminster Abbey on her wedding day, waving to the crowd.
Mrs Morton said she released the photograph of the partially finished item because she wanted her fans to get an early idea of how it might look.
She admitted that, at this stage, the figurine appeared far less appealing in photographs than it will be eventually, adding: "The light's awful and it's a close up.
"The thing that really saddens me about the criticism is that this is something which is made in England and we have no manufacturing left. We are not making this in the Far East.
"The Stoke-on-Trent area [where most of Britain's pottery was traditionally made] is depressed but because of this figurine the [china] flower-makers can make flowers again.
"Kate had her dress made in the UK.
"It's a bit sad that someone has criticised it. Some people like bone china."
Mrs Morton says her art’s motivation is to “unveil character through form”.
Most of her work is in bronze and she was once commissioned to produce a life-sized bust of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makthoum, the ruler of Dubai.
The figure of the Duchess is one of many items of memorabilia which emerged after the wedding.
Among them was a “Lucky Kate” doll, produced by the American firm The Franklin Mint, which cost £120.
The new figurine will be sold by the collectables firm Compton and Woodhouse.
Mrs Morton said she released the photograph of the partially finished item because she wanted her fans to get an early idea of how it might look.
She admitted that, at this stage, the figurine appeared far less appealing in photographs than it will be eventually, adding: "The light's awful and it's a close up.
"The thing that really saddens me about the criticism is that this is something which is made in England and we have no manufacturing left. We are not making this in the Far East.
"The Stoke-on-Trent area [where most of Britain's pottery was traditionally made] is depressed but because of this figurine the [china] flower-makers can make flowers again.
"Kate had her dress made in the UK.
"It's a bit sad that someone has criticised it. Some people like bone china."
Mrs Morton says her art’s motivation is to “unveil character through form”.
Most of her work is in bronze and she was once commissioned to produce a life-sized bust of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makthoum, the ruler of Dubai.
The figure of the Duchess is one of many items of memorabilia which emerged after the wedding.
Among them was a “Lucky Kate” doll, produced by the American firm The Franklin Mint, which cost £120.
The new figurine will be sold by the collectables firm Compton and Woodhouse.
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