American Treasures - Metlox, Fostoria, and Oneida

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog!  Recently we published an article on Japanese tableware manufacturers and patterns.  Here's some information on historically important U.S. companies and patterns.  Have any china, crystal, silver, or collectibles of particular interest?  Let us know!  We'll see what we can find out for you.

With his bright red, green, and yellow feathers, there's no doubt who's top rooster in the Metlox California Provincial pattern!  Metlox Pottery - also known as Metlox-Poppytrail and Metlox-Poppytrail-Vernonware - is a highly regarded American tableware company that traces its origins to 1921, when T.C. Prouty and his son, Willis, opened "Proutyline Products" in Hermosa Beach, CA.  The company produced architectural tiles using a patented tile body made primarily of talc.  In 1927 the Proutys introduced Metlox as a division - the name "Metlox" combined the words "metal" and "oxide."  Now located in Manhattan Beach, the company added big outdoor ceramic signs to its product mix.  These signs were popular with theaters featuring the works of the burgeoning California film industry.  When demand for the signs dwindled during the Great Depression, Metlox introduced it first line of dinnerware in 1932, continuing production until it closed its doors in 1989.

California Provincial by Metlox.

Fostoria Jamestown-Green is green, pressed glass with a concave, squarish bowl that features swirling, spiral panels on the side. The twist stem echoes the shapes of the panels on the bowl, and the foot is round. Even with its square shape, the curves in this pattern are organic and elegant. Founded in Fostoria, OH, in 1887, the Fostoria company relocated to Moundsville, WV, shortly thereafter, because of that region's abundant natural resources. Jamestown-Green was one of four colors in the Jamestown pattern to be released in 1958 - green, amber, blue, and clear - additions to a line of popular colored-glass stemware introduced by Fostoria in the 1920s. After meeting decades of stiff foreign competition with classic designs and innovative glass-making methods, Fostoria operations were shut down by its parent company, Lancaster Colony, in 1983. Fostoria glass is highly sought-after by collectors today.

Jamestown-Green by Fostoria.

Oneida Paul Revere satin-finish stainless steel bears the name of the famous patriot who made his living as a silversmith, and features a design reminiscent of the American Colonial period.  One of our most popular Oneida flatware patterns, with more than 8,000 individuals having registered their interest, Paul Revere was introduced in 1959.  A production run of 50 years and counting, with quite a few changes in culture and style along the way - is testimony to the quality of Oneida!  The company grew out of the original Oneida Community founded in upstate New York by John Humphrey Noyes more than 150 years ago. The Christian communal society was based upon the principles of individual self-perfection and shared property. Women bore the same duties as men, and individual responsibilities varied daily. Many inventions were developed at Oneida - including some of the world's most recognizable and beautifully designed flatware.

Paul Revere stainless by Oneida.

Inventory staff in our warehouse at Replacements, Ltd. have been busy checking in some great new items for the fall season - especially for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Pinot and I will be doing some research so we can pass along information to you.

Meanwhile, be sure to visit our web site, or e-mail Pinot or me at ross.howell@replacements.com.  Talk to you again soon.

Ross Howell