Crown Lynn Wharetana Ware 'Moko' Bookends

A pair of Crown Lynn Wharetana ware 'Moko' bookends, recorded in the promotional pamphlet as 'Ceremonial Life-Sized wooden masks... The face moko (tattoo) is typical of a Maori chief or tohunga...', striking dark green glaze, impressed model 1019 to base of each. 3.94 in. x 3.74 in. x 5.51 in. The Wharetana range of ceramic ware made by Crown Lynn was designed by Harry Hargreaves who emigrated to New Zealand in 1924. He worked at Crown Lynn from 1943 and died in the 1960s. The range began production around 1947 and assimilated Maori designs in a contemporary manner. Hargreaves records and family anecdotes recalls his interest in Maori culture and the language. They note his universal tool was a sharpened 4 inch nail with which he carved numerous designs on a range of artware shapes including trinket and cigarette boxes, plates and wall plaques, ashtrays and small dishes. The ware was slip cast and generally finished in brown glaze resembling wood through to various green glazes suggesting pale (inanga) to rich (kawakawa) greenstone (pounamu). Produced with an eye on the overseas tourist trade, not surprisingly the most desirable of Crown Lynn's production is rare in New Zealand.