Vtg Metlox Poppytrail Gingerbread Cookie Jar Girl/Boy/Puppy/Rope/Balloon

Description: An awesome, vintage Metlox/Poppytrail cookie jar reflecting a nostalgic gingerbread girl jumping rope and a boy flying a balloon while a puppy chases it. Just a fun scene. No nicks, chips, or cracks. Very good condition with expected signs of wear. See all pics for additional detail. About Metlox/Poppytrail Metlox Pottery, located at 1200 Morningside Drive, Manhattan Beach, California, was founded in 1927 by T. C. Prouty and his son Willis Prouty. The company originally produced outdoor ceramic signs. After the death of T.C. Prouty in 1931, Willis renamed the company Metlox Pottery ("Metlox" is a combination of "metal" and "oxide," a reference to the glaze pigments), and began producing dinnerware. The Metlox Manufacturing Company was incorporated October 5, 1933. The first line of pottery produced, "Poppytrail," became well known for its brightly colored glazes derived from locally mined metallic oxides. Subsequent lines included "Nostalgia," "Red Rooster," "California Provincial," "Colonial Homestead," "Homestead Provincial," and "Colorstax." In the 1950s Metlox introduced a line of futuristic dinnerware featuring free form designs and squared plates, "California Contempra", "California Modern" and "California Freeform". Frank Irwin designed the impressive Freeform dinnerware line for Metlox in 1955. The pottery factory closed in 1989 after 62 years of operation. The Los Angeles Times reported on June 21, 1989: "The problem is that lead and other dangerous heavy metals that were byproducts of the pottery-making process had been dumped for years into a 60-by-40-foot open-air pit on the plant property at Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Valley Drive". Los Angeles City Councilman C.R. (Bob) Holmes said "It's the end of an era but it's a shame it had to end on such a sour note," the Metlox people acted in bad faith and made no attempt to clean up the problem they created for many years. But now that they are out of the property, Santa Fe Railway, I believe, will attempt to very expeditiously clean up the site". Many employees were harmed by their work at Metlox, yet most were very low income workers who were unable to take legal action. Employees reported headaches, tremors, and seizures. In 1927, Metlox (a contraction of metallic oxide) was founded by the Prouty's. It was located in downtown Manhattan Beach. Outdoor ceramic signs were initially produced. They were molded electrical advertising signs that were visible day or night and withstood all types of weather conditions. One of the company's most impressive installation was a neon sign for the newly constructed Pantages Theatre in Hollywood in 1928. The depression caused Metlox's business to suffer. In 1931, T.C. Prouty died and his son reorganized and converted the Manhattan Beach facility into dinnerware production The first limited line of Metlox dinnerware was produced in 1932. It was called "California Pottery" and was produced in bright colored glazes similar to Bauer. "Poppytrail" was introduced on 1934. "Poppytrail" was available in fifteen different colors. The poppy being the California state flower, was used as a trade name to emphasize California. Talc and most of the metallic oxides used in the production of the Metlox pottery were mined in California. The first limited line of Metlox dinnerware was produced in 1932. It was called "California Pottery" and was produced in bright colored glazes similar to Bauer. "Poppytrail" was introduced on 1934. "Poppytrail" was available in fifteen different colors. The poppy being the California state flower, was used as a trade name to emphasize California. Talc and most of the metallic oxides used in the production of the Metlox pottery were mined in California. "Mission Bell" was a pastel-colored line of tableware and kitchen articles produced exclusively for Sears and Roebuck Co. About the same time as "Mission Bell" was the "Yorkshire" dinnerware. It came in the same glazes as "Mission Bell" with a swirled design. Another set of dinnerware based on an English Staffordshire design was "Pintoria". The plates had a wide-bordered rectangular shape and the bowls with circular depressions. It was only in production from 1937-1939. Carl Romanelli was a sculptor hired by Metlox in the late 30's. He was the first artware designer who designed the "Metlox Miniatures". It was a collection of small-scale animal figurines. Another line, Modern Masterpieces, was also by Romanelli. They were figures, figural vases, busts, wall pockets, bookends, and vases with figures in relief. Most of these pieces had his signature of "C. Romanelli" in the mold and many of his designs were patented. During WWII, production was limited. Metlox converted most of its production (90%) to defense work. After the war Evan K. Shaw, of American Pottery in Los Angeles, purchased Metlox from Willis Prouty in 1946. "California Ivy" was produced that same year. It was the first of many hand-painted patterns developed after the purchase by Evan Shaw. "California Provincial"(dark green and burgundy)-1950, "Homestead Provincial" (dark green and burgundy)-1950, "Red Rooster"(red, orange, and brown)-1955, "California Strawberry"(1961), "Sculptured Grape"(1963), and "Della Robia"(1965) were others produced under the Shaw ownership. The 1950's produced dinnerware lines "Navajo", "Aztec", "California Mobile", "California Free Form", and "California Contempora". In 1958 the trade name and some dinnerware molds from Vernon Kilns were purchased by Metlox. Thanks for looking!

Price: 49 USD

Location: Dammeron Valley, Utah

End Time: 2024-09-11T21:35:26.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD