Platter

This fusion of a European designer and a New Zealand manufacturer should produce things which will form a basis for our standards.

Vernon Brown, 1953

In 1953, Crown Lynn Potteries hired Dutch designer Frank Carpay as part of a move to be more innovative. Aware of post-war competition from Britain, the company was looking to expand, so it brought in several designers to develop more radical forms.

‘Handwerk’, seen in these objects, is Carpay’s signature design. Its fluid lines reveal the influence of Pablo Picasso, whom Carpay met in Europe.

The local design community embraced Carpay’s playful, nature-inspired decorations, as did department stores. But conservative buyers were unconvinced. Carpay was dropped by Crown Lynn in 1956, but remained in New Zealand designing and printing textiles.