Metlox Potteries: California's Beloved Dinnerware Manufacturer
Metlox Potteries, founded in 1927 in Manhattan Beach, California, by T.C. Prouty, became one of the most successful California pottery operations of the 20th century. Originally producing ceramic tiles and outdoor signs, Metlox shifted to dinnerware and artware in the late 1930s, eventually producing iconic patterns like California Provincial, Red Rooster, and Homestead Provincial that graced millions of American tables before the factory closed in 1989.
History and Key Periods
- Early period (1927-1937): Ceramic tiles and outdoor signs under the "Metlox" name (metal oxide)
- Prouty Potteries (1937-1946): Transition to dinnerware; early lines and miniatures
- Evan K. Shaw era (1946-1980): Golden age; most beloved patterns introduced; Poppytrail brand name
- Later period (1980-1989): Declining sales; factory closed permanently in 1989
The Poppytrail brand name, used from the 1940s onward, is often more recognizable to collectors than the Metlox name itself.
Popular Patterns and Lines
- California Provincial: Blue and white rooster pattern; the most iconic Metlox design
- Red Rooster (California Provincial variant): Red version of the provincial design
- Homestead Provincial: Green provincial pattern
- California Ivy: Ivy vine border design
- Sculptured Grape: Dimensional grape cluster motif
- Della Robbia: Fruit wreath border inspired by Italian Renaissance
- Cookie jars: Highly collectible figural jars including bears, cats, clowns, and more
Identification
- Marks: "Metlox," "Poppytrail," "Made in California," or "Metlox Poppytrail" stamped or impressed
- California Provincial: Blue rooster and barn motifs on cream body
- Artware: Often marked "Metlox" with model numbers
- Cookie jars: May have paper labels or impressed marks on base
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Rare figural cookie jar (Topsy, Watermelon) | $300 - $1,500 |
| California Provincial dinner set (40+ pcs) | $200 - $600 |
| Sculptured Grape dinner service | $150 - $400 |
| Common cookie jar (bear, cat) | $40 - $150 |
| Red Rooster serving pieces | $25 - $75 each |
| California Ivy place setting | $20 - $50 |
| Artware vase or figurine | $30 - $150 |
| Miniature figures (Disney) | $50 - $300 |
Condition Factors
- Crazing: Common in Metlox glazes; heavy crazing reduces value but is often accepted
- Chips on serving pieces: Rim and spout chips are common due to daily use
- Pattern clarity: Faded or worn hand-painted decoration reduces desirability
- Completeness: Full dinner services with serving pieces are worth more than the sum of individual pieces
- Cookie jar lids: Missing or repaired lids reduce value by 50% or more
Collecting Tips
Metlox cookie jars have become the most actively collected category, with rare examples like the politically sensitive designs commanding significant premiums. California Provincial remains the pattern most identified with the brand and has a loyal following. Complete dinner services are becoming harder to assemble as pieces break over time, making intact large sets increasingly valuable. Disney miniature figures produced under license are a specialized niche with crossover Disney collector interest. Metlox offers an affordable entry into California pottery collecting, with most individual pieces still under $50, though rare cookie jars and complete services continue to appreciate.