The Incomparable Carbine - a Crown Lynn Treasure

The Auckland Carbine Club commissioned Crown Lynn in 1977 to make a replica statue of this famous NZ horse as a trophy/statuette to be presented each year to the winner of the Carbine Club Stakes at the Auckland Racing Club. The statue was modelled by Tam Mitchell.

As Crown Lynn closed down in 1989 these statues are very rare - it is claimed three were made each year, one to the Racing Club and the other two "spares" if they survived firing and glazing were snaffled quickly by Crown Lynn staff. We are very privileged to have one belong to one of our members. Thank you Manos.

Introducing....Carbine

Isn't he handsome? I am just so thrilled to have him

The detail is amazing. His mane is brushed over, and only shows on one side

I thought I would include a few photos to make this easier to identify, seeing they were not marked

And to give you an idea of just how big he is, next to a large swan. Now he has arrived in my collection, I am just so happy with him

Thanks for showing the size comparison sunshine, as I didn't realise he was THAT BIG!
I notice that your Carbine doesn't have a wooden stand like the one Manos had.
I wonder why as that would help prevent any problems with broken ankles.

I suspect the stand didn't come with the horse, perhaps we could ask Manos? I have just received the ashtray to match too, and it is much bigger than I had imagined too!

I have contacted Manos, and his stand is original. I have mine securely attached to the bottom of my china cabinet so it will be safe.

Just been looking at some copies of the Crown Lynn Ceramics magazines and in 1977 there is a big article about Carbine. "Lastly it is mounted on a plinth. A New statuette is cast each year and ensures a certain degree of individuality."

An artlicle from another publication about Carbine shows him standing without a plinth .....?

Wow - two Carbines on site!!

Maybe they only mounted the one that was to be presented.

I also assume that only the one to be presented was mounted, and the others if they survived the firing would be sold to staff as is. I also worked out that there would only have been 36 or 39 made, and as they made 3 a year because some exploded on firing, the chances of all surviving wouldn't be that great, so they are very rare indeed!