Imitation Kangaroo - NEW, not Original Crown Crystal
Copyright G&S Thistlewood and Julie Hynes.

First reported by Julie Hynes back in November, 2006 - a large master Kangaroo bowl that is clearly not like the original Crown Crystal item. There are two known versions of the original Crown Crystal Kangaroo pattern - one version has a larger Kangaroo and no branch below it, the other version (known as the "Small Roo") has a branch below the kangaroo.

In late spring, 2007, more of these large master Kangaroo bowl have appeared - they are the "Small Roo" or "Doe" version with a branch below the kangaroo. Like the original Crown Crystal bowls, these imitations also have the registered design number 4696 moulded into the pattern. The bowl also has what appears to be a Fern & Wattle exterior pattern. Examples have been seen in marigold, amber, pink and light blue or crystal with pastel iridescence.

Comparative study of the original and recently seen Kangaroo patterns, however, shows very clearly that this new bowl is not like the original design, as there are many differences. Below are close up photos (courtesy Julie Hynes) of the kangaroo on both an original and a new imitation bowl. Below that are rough sketches showing the fundamental differences between the versions.

The first thing that strikes most people when they study the imitation bowl is the long stripey grass. It is so noticeable - long, bold gashes - nothing at all like the gentle clumps that appear on the genuine originals. And it is everywhere! Even appearing to stick out of the tops of the trees - there's nothing remotely artistic or subtle about it. It's almost as if the mould cutter couldn't be bothered to think what he was doing and just threw in lots of stripes, anywhere and everywhere. The grass on the new imitation bowl even appears to be growing up over the trees! The entire bowl is covered with the stuff - it is really "in your face" compared with the genuine originals.

Another very clear difference is one that can also be noted and recognised easily. On the original item (above right) there is a quite a big gap between the R of the RD number, and the base of the tree. On the imitation version on the left, however, the R of the RD  number almost touches the tree base. This is a very clear characteristic of this new bowl. Also on the imitation new bowl, the RD looks more like RO.

There are many other differences in proportion too. Look how close the leaves are to the kangaroo's face on the new version on the left. Now look how much further away they are on the original (in fact on some old bowls the leaves to the left of the kangaroo's face are very indistinct and hard to see). There are similar differences at the back of the kangaroo too. Look how close the branch is on the new bowl - and notice that it is further away on the original.

Another clear difference is the base of the tree seen at the left of the kangaroo. On the original, the roots at the base of the tree go off to the left, over the circle of the base (marie). But on the new one, the base of the tree goes straight down on its left hand side, and does not go over the circle of the marie.

There are many more differences:-
a strange "swelling" where the kangaroo's knee/thigh should be
the neck of the animal is thick and oddly shaped and the head is differently shaped
front paws are mis-shapen
the branch on the right is angled the wrong way.
the branch below the kangaroo is different
The entire pattern is skewed somewhat on the right hand side of the "fake".

The drawings above are Copyright Glen Thistlewood, but we are happy for you to print a copy of them for your own private use. Please do not re-publish them anywhere. If you want permission to do anything other than making a private copy for your own use, email us  for permission.

Julie Hynes has prepared a series of excellent photos that will clearly show the many differences between the original and the imitation items. Furthermore, she has prepared a detailed analysis of the dimensions and physical properties of the two pieces. Click here to view them all. We are very grateful to Julie for her expertise and her help as well as permission to show her photos here.

Copyright ©  G&S Thistlewood and Julie Hynes 2009