Australian Kookaburra and Kingfisher, Crown Crystal    Updated 11/14/2011
		What's the difference between the Kookaburra and Kingfisher pieces? The Kookaburra sits on a thick branch and the tail feathers are more obvious (as show far left) while the Kingfisher sits on a thin branch. Thanks to Brendan Morant for the great closeup photos.

The Australian Kingfisher and Kookaburra pieces are similar, both with a small large-billed bird sitting on a short branch within a floral background. They are seen in 9-inch and 5-inch bowls, mostly with 12 ruffles, and a larger float bowl. There are several pattern variations; Kookaburra pieces sell for somewhat more than the Kingfisher. The ice cream shaped bowl above left sold for $1,950 in 1999. Above right is a typical marigold ruffled sauce. Kingfisher and Kookaburra are probably the most widely found Australian patterns. Fake Kingfisher sauces are known

Kookaburra bowls, 9 to 10 inches, ruffled Marigold, 350 (2010), 335 (2011) Purple, 275 (2007), 120 (2010), 875 (2011)	Kookaburra sauces, about 5 inches, ruffled Marigold, 225, 230 (both 2007), 55 (2010) Purple, 210 (2007), 300 (2009), 275 (2010)
Kingfisher bowls, 9 to 10 inches, ruffled Marigold, 90, 139 (both 2007),    95, 140 (both 2010) Purple, 275 (2010), 300, 325 (both 2011)	Kingfisher sauces, about 5 inches, ruffled Marigold, 80 (2006), 25 (2010) Purple, 165 (2009), 185 (2010), 250 (2011)

This 10 1/2 inch Kookaburra float bowl brought $750 in 1998. Another brought $1,000 in 2004. Note the unusual edge. Others have brought up to $3,900. The tumbler shows the relative size.

Another version of the large float bowl in purple. this ruffled example sold for $8,250 in 2010; another ruffled version (or perhaps the same piece) sold in 2005 for $2,650. There has been a resurgence in interest in Australian Carnival in the past few years.