CALIFORNIA POTTERY INDEX - VINTAGE CALIFORNIA POTTERY, DINNERWARE, CERAMICS, FIGURINES - INCLUDING METLOX POPPYTRAIL

Metlox Poppytrail

Metlox Potteries of Manhattan Beach was founded in 1927 by T. C. Prouty and his son Willis for the making of ceramic outdoor signs. After T. C. died in 1931, Willis reorganized the company and moved into the manufacture of dinnerware. The first colored set, California Pottery, came out in 1931. The Poppytrail line was introduced in 1934.
Designer Carl Romanelli was hired in the late thirties and he initiated the Metlox Miniatures line...small figurines and novelty items. During World War II production of domestic lines was curtailed as the company manufactured for the military. After the war, Willis Prouty sold Metlox to Evan K. Shaw, whose American Pottery of Los Angeles had been destroyed by fire. Under Shaw the company introduced popular hand-painted patterns including California Ivy, California Provincial and Red Rooster.
Metlox prospered in the fifties and in 1958 acquired various dinnerware patterns from Vernon Kilns and started its Vernonware division. In 1959 the company began its extensive cookie jar line. Metlox ceased operations in 1989.

Metlox Poppytrail