Lady Huia - 16 cm small side plate - Stamped Titirangi - Bone China

Lady Huia.  Small side plate.

These plates are currently available in extremely low numbers.  

A playful take on our history and our community. 

Inspired by some etchings in a 150 year old "London Illustrated News". That got me thinking about history. The idea of the Lady Huia came to me because of the unique beak of the female. It is an example of extreme sexual dimorphism. To reduce competition for food male and female huia had dramatically different beak sizes and shapes, a phenomenon so extreme they were initially described as two separate species by early European naturalists. 

Other conceptual thought: Although Huia feathers had been use for body adornment throughout human history in New Zealand, it was the Duke of York (later King George V) who during his 1901 royal visit to New Zealand wore a huia feather in his hat, which sparked a craze for the feathers among Europeans and intensified hunting of the bird. This was a big factor in the extinction of the Huia and there is some irony that the Huia is dressed at as "Lady".

The stamped mark is based on an actual cancellation mark from the Titirangi Post Office circa 1917 to 1935, at some point the original must have been physically stamped in that location. While I did change the date to December 25, the mark is closely historically accurate to the original.  It is unknown where exactly the the Post Office was located during this time but records say is was connected to a shop in the village area. 

Other design elements:

The weta is used because it was one of the main diets of the Huia, although the female especially also feed on nectar of flower like the Kowhai.

There is also a detail from the sculptures in the Titirangi roundabout.

Somewhere on the back of every plate is a small weta.

The decorations are individual applied so plates are slightly different but follow the design of the plate shown in the picture.

This is a onglaze decoration which is permanently fired into the glaze at around 800 degrees celsius. Don't be confused by cheaper sublimation processes this is made to stay on the plate.  .

Food safe - Dishwasher safe - Microwave safe.

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If you would like to support this local ceramic design project consider buying a t-shirt as well.

Thanks.