Gemma China New Zealand Dolphin from dollcrown

Many thanks to dollcrown who sent these photos to the site of a dolphin that still has the sticker on it that reads Gemma China New Zealand. It measures 300mm high by 360mm wide and the base shows some age to it. dollcrown would like to find out more information about the maker...

Hello dollcrown, have you still got the dolphin? If so could you please post a picture. I found an Aquila shape elephant with the Gemma China back stamp and I am wondering if your dolphin is also a Aquila shape.

My elephant post:
https://www.newzealandpottery.net/t6871-aquila-elephant-shape-with-gemma-china-ltd-nz-back-stamp#27158

Black elephant with Gemma inscribed in a slash of black glaze.

The elephant is identical to my Terra Ceramics elephant.

I've merged this with your other Gemma piece dollcrown and how puzzling to see pieces that look the same as the Terra elephant, Aquila elephant from haselnuss and also the dolphin you have.

haselnuss's post about Gemma -
https://www.newzealandpottery.net/t6871-aquila-elephant-shape-with-gemma-china-ltd-nz-back-stamp

Have just seen message from Haslenuss about the dolphin. Will get it out and post a photo tomorrow.

I have been reading back through the info on Terra, from Signal Red and Ernie Cooper who both worked there. They say that Terra's original moulds and materials came from an already established business in Australia. I am thinking that Terra probably supplied blanks or moulds to Gemma (whoever she may be). And possibly also to the Brown family at Aquila/Orzel. Another link is through Hemara who did some work for Terra (my Terra seal is one that he remade from an original Terra shape.) Hemara may have 'borrowed' the Terra Elephant for Aquila.
Of course all this is speculation unless we find people or documents to give us solid info.

Finally found my dolphin to photograph for Haselnuss. It is 350mm nose to tail and 290 bottom of base to top.
The base has dark blue beige under it.

Wow, I like the dolphin. I read your post about Gemma China history.
When Manos visited I asked him about the Gemma elephant and he said that it wasn't made by Aquila. And he is right!!!!
Thank you Dollcrown for clearing up this mystery.

Here is our black


ceramic panther from Gemma
China. Often you can tell if a panther has been made from Gemma China, by the black painted underneath even with or without the stamp. They are often slightly bigger than the usual 80’s panther in a similar design.
Just thought ild pass on what I’ve discovered with panthers & Gemma China Nz.
Thanks