I have a love for green ceramics, two shelves in my lounge can attest to that love. This ginger jar that I bought many, many years ago at the Titirangi markets was the start of the collection. It had no lid but I loved it and bought it anyway.
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| Image from Valerie Ringer Monk's new book - Crown Lynn Collector's handbook, on loan from my local library. |
Then I found another at a local op shop a few years later, this time with a lid. I was excited. A third one followed, this time, no lid. My count was three jars, one lid,my husband wondered how many I actually needed? "Odd numbers: I told him.
It was then that I discovered by a random internet search that what I thought were some new-ish made in China ginger jars - were actually Crown Lynn in disguise! Not made in China at all.
These jars were made in a range of colours, a plum, a royal blue and yellow too! (I'd really love a yellow one!). Knowing that they were in fact Crown Lynn didn't make me love them anymore, but I did find the idea interesting that there was a time when "Made in New Zealand" wasn't enough, and "China" seemed a more inviting prospect? I think the tide is perhaps turning? I hope that we would always be proud of something "Made in New Zealand".
Imagine my surprise at a local church fair that I arrived very late to (pretty sure all the best pieces had been snapped up already), there on the table was a lid that I was missing! For the grand sum of $0.10c I was able to complete another jar!
I'm not sure if I'll be that lucky again, but in the meantime I'll keep using the one without a lid as a vase.
these are gorgeous - really really like them alot! mmm i think i would find it hard to not go for blue :) but yellow would be so cheery! What a lucky lucky find! will keep my eyes open incase I stumble on any lids for you xx
ReplyDeleteThat's a fab colour green and they look to be such versatile pieces
ReplyDeleteThey are really just the prettiest ceramics. I think I may be in love. I fall very easily when it comes to Crown Lynn. Love the story of how you have come by them too. Imagine coming across just a lid! Have a lovely week xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous green colour and lovely pattern. So amazed you found the lid. Sometimes these things are meant to be. I have a mustard yellow soup type cup with a different pattern, but looks like it fits with those. It is made in NZ. I thought of it when I first saw your picture and was surprised to see they were made in China. Interesting Crown Lynn history. I so hope you find the third lid! Cx
ReplyDeleteI love that green colour and how exciting to have the lid sitting there waiting for you! xx
ReplyDeletethese are really lovely. i've seen one in an exhibition somewhere at some stage, maybe the Dunedin museum? the writen script underneath certainly looks crown lynn style but i'm sure i wouldn't have noticed that without 'knowing' they were crown lynn. I'll keep my eyes peeled for you x
ReplyDeleteMade in NZ keep NZ'ers employed!!!
ReplyDeleteLove these so much just gorgeous
That is absolutely fantastic! I experienced something similar finding a saucer to a teacup set that belonged to my grandmother. The original saucer was dropped and broken and to find a lone saucer years later was a thrill for sure!
ReplyDeleteEven though I love Crown Lynn, I don't love their ginger jars. But in a few years I'll probably change my mind, it's happened before!
ReplyDeletevisiting you from op shop show off. The ginger jars look fantastic.
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