You can never have enough...

[Lilith7]

When the family business was importing pieces from all over the world Crown Lynn was one of the businesses who made 'copies' for them, using the imported examples as design models. sometimes slight differences, sometimes from straight moulds of the originals. But they never had the glazes, or the fine clays available to them that the European factories and others had. But they tried, bless them. The most well known rip off was of Simpson's Belle Fiore pattern. The Crown Lynn version was way too heavy handed and lacked the gestural looseness of the original. But, seeing New Zealanders could not get their hands on these overseas pieces at anything like a reasonable cost, you can see why they made them and to hell with the morals involved.

Stuff like that went on here quite a lot. my Grandmother & a friend started a dressmaking business in the 20's; Gran used to go into town & check the window displays of women's clothing in Ballantynes, (then the department store which had the latest fashions) sketch dresses she thought would go well, go back to their workroom & make a pattern from that, & then make the garment.

Still raining here; our street is now closed, as are lots of others & have had phonecalls/messages from 4 of the grandkids to see if I've drowned yet or do I need anything. The eldest tried to get me to organise a bag to go just in case - she's inclined to be slightly bossy good at organising but as the house is on a slight rise, told her I'm fine. Bloody grandkids - its a good thing I love the little sods!