Finder’s Fi

Collectable Kiwi ceramics

In 1964, Helen Mason, editor of The New Zealand Potter magazine, wrote in Salient (the Victoria University student newspaper), that “the tremendous interest today in the ancient art of pottery-making can perhaps be construed as a revolt against the cushioning effect of over-civilisation”.

This statement still rings true today, as a new wave of ceramicists emerges and interest in last century’s ceramics continues to thrive. Here we celebrate three of the country’s most renowned pottery companies.

Crown Lynn

Crown Lynn is known for its colourful dinnerware, tea sets and iconic vases. Arguably New Zealand’s most recognisable ceramics company, Crown Lynn is actually made up of a number of subsidiaries and brands. The New Lynn, Auckland factory, which started out as the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company, produced ceramics from 1935 until 1989.

Now, the museum Te Toi Uku, operated by the Portage Ceramics Trust, keeps the brand alive. When op-shopping, visiting markets or searching on Trade Me, look out for other Crown Lynn labels, too, including Ambrico, Titian and Kelston. Some pieces will also simply be marked ‘Made in NZ’ or stamped with a number. Portageceramicstrust.co.nz has an excellent digital catalogue of Crown Lynn pieces if you want to check the authenticity of an item.

Collectable Crown Lynn vases, some of which are on display at New Lynn’s Te Toi Uku Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum.