topic Re: Kookaburra in Coins, Stamps, Collectables & Antiques

Kookaburra

wilneil — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:57:51 GMT

I know we did a discussion on kookaburra's a while back, one of them was the one made/decorated by Daisy Merton. I felt sure that this particular one had a (for want of a better word) "hooked' tip on the beak. I know I have one that I thought was Daisy Merton but it has a straight beak and probably a Japanese copy. At least that is the way I remember it, could be the other way round, can't look at my Kooka as it is packed somewhere.

Have a look at this listing and tell me what you think!! 151009694566 It has a straight beak and a sticker.

Wilma

Re: Kookaburra

oldworldlady — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:27:15 GMT

That's a gorgeous Kooka and the same as one I have and I'm pretty sure mine is Daisy Merton.

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:41:53 GMT

Well then, if the straight beaks are Daisy Merton, maybe mine is as well. Could I be so lucky??

Wilma

Re: Kookaburra

oldworldlady — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:43:34 GMT

I'd say it was about time you had some good luck...

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:21:09 GMT

Here are a few pictures of 4 different Kookaburras that are Newtone or Daisy Merton. They respond more to feel than the eye in some cases and the end of a finger can detect the slight hook that is there. The one on ebay I think has been repaired as the beak is usually the point that gets damaged. If you compare the actual shape of the beak to the first picture you might see what I mean. I do own repaired ones myself and have no problem with a good restoration as these pieces should be preserved

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:22:21 GMT

Sorry. I messed up the second picture

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:32:55 GMT

The first one is the log ashtray. The second is the Kooka on a stump like the one you were talking about.

These are smaller birds

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:33:51 GMT

In the last picture the hook is not obvoius but can still be felt with a finger

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:52:24 GMT

Have to agree, the beak is shorter and blunter, maybe it has been repaired and maybe it was just made that way. I am more confused than ever, wish I could find mine and have a look at it. Our goods and collectibles are scattered round garages in about 5 locations, don't think I will go looking.

Thanks for the comments.

Re: Kookaburra

the_newtone_kid — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:05:15 GMT

I'm not sure that this is as complex as we are making it here.

If you own a bird and it looks like the one in the listing it is made by Newtone and most likely painted by Daisy Merton.

I am unaware of a Japanese copy of this design.

I am only aware of the Halton Ware copy of the Kooka on the log ashtray which I will post pics of for you tomorrow.

These copies are easy to spot because they look horrible.

Tim

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:12:46 GMT

Hi Tim,

No copies of these that I have ever seen either and yes they are certainly Newtone.

I think the point in question is only about possible repairs to the tips of the beaks.

The Halton Ware pieces or KKS did copies of the log as you say but there are others too. I have never seen a napkin ring by Newtone but Halton did them and also a couple of vases with applied kookaburras. They are outstanding as they are so ugly and the colours are horrible as you say and always have lots of green on them. This is not a feature of the Newtone pieces. However I still wait to see if there are Newtone napkin rings as I think they would be exceptional pieces,

Pip

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:55:34 GMT

As near as I can remember, mine has a straight beak, though it may have a little hook that can be felt rather than seen. Also seem to remember that my colours are a little different to the one pictured. When I actually find it again I will send photos. Though, just maybe, I have pictures of it somewhere, will have a look tomorrow. Should fill in a bit of time.

Wilma

Re: Kookaburra

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:21:33 GMT

Gee, they are all beauties!

Re: Kookaburra

oldworldlady — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:14:19 GMT

Well, goodness me. Mine has a hook on his beak :^O. never even noticed. perhaps there's a variation in the hooks with how often the mould had been used?

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 03:55:21 GMT

After a minor amount of looking, like hundreds of photos, I finally found the ones I needed.

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 03:58:17 GMT

Couldn't add a comment after I had attached the pictures, sort of think he has a pointed beak, not hooked, but it is hand painted. The colours are different to the others that are pictured. Do you think I have a really, really, really rare one or maybe one that went a bit wrong.:^O

Re: Kookaburra

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:16:29 GMT

Well Wilma they would both be rare then........especially to a collector.

Re: Kookaburra

wilneil — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:57:16 GMT

I find it hard to believe that 227 people have looked at this topic and only 6, including myself, have seen fit to leave a comment Is it lack of interest or lack of knowledge? for me it is lack of knowledge, I don't mind admitting that I know almost nothing about pottery, that's why I am here all the time asking questions and, quite often, making silly comments.

Wilma.

Re: Kookaburra

siddieswans — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:09:00 GMT

OK I fess up! I have been following but not responding. I have a kookaburra on the log ashtray - it looks exactly the same as the one in the first photo posted by kooriflag, and guess what, it has damage to the end of the beak. It has been somewhat poorly glued back on - in due course I hope to have it professionally restored. In the mean time it looks just fine in my cabinet. When I bought it (unidentified at auction) I assumed it was Daisy Merton and have continued to think so (though I am certainly no expert.)

Re: Kookaburra

kooriflag — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:34:25 GMT

Hi Wilma,

Looking at the base picture and then up to the beak it looks like there is a slight hook there.

So both rare and good would be my opinion,

Pip