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    Home » Let's Dish » Let's Dish about our first set of California's Metlox Monterey Dinnerware

    Published: Sep 1, 2020 · Modified: Oct 13, 2021 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Let's Dish about our first set of California's Metlox Monterey Dinnerware

    Produced by Metlox Pottery in Southern California, the Monterey line of mid century dinnerware offered a laid back, practical style in wonderful speckled colors.

    The laid back elegance of Metlox's Monterey line of dish ware is still a favorite today. The soft pastel colors compliment any setting.

    I've always been a fan of things that are functional, simple and just work. This line of elegant dishware falls into that category for me. It's not as whimsical and fun as Franciscan Ware patterns like Starburst or Oasis, but therein lies the beauty.

    We attended Modernism Week in Palm Springs earlier this year and had the opportunity to learn more about mid century dishware from an exhibitor there. He had set up part of his extensive collection for close-up viewing, and I found these dishes very intriguing. The collector admitted to not knowing much about the company that made them, including when or where they produced their products. He showed me his original boxes and they had absolutely no information printed on them! A missed opportunity for the Metlox company.

    A little further digging reveals that there is not an exact record documenting the history of this line. According to expert collectors, "Monterey was produced by Metlox after they purchased molds and patterns from Vernon." The detailed explanation can be found at the Vernonware website under the "FAQ's."

    Metlox Pottery was founded in Manhattan Beach in 1927 as a ceramic sign maker. In 1931 they began producing dinnerware, and in mid century they developed some modernist designs that became popular, especially with California families. Though they changed hands several times throughout the years and produced pottery items other than dinnerware, it is the dinnerware that remains the most collectible today.

    Functionally Elegant: Monterey Mid Century Dinnerware

    Though sometimes faded, the state of California logo is a nice touch on each item.

    Monterey dishware was produced in several different pastel colors with slight speckles in the pottery. Some people collect one particular color, others collect mixed colors. They're fun to display either way. The first pieces we bought are green. As a transplant from the midwest, I love the state of California logo printed on the bottom of each piece. Some of them are pretty faded by now, but if you look closely you can see it.

    These dishes are very delicate and chip almost just by looking at them. Unfortunately we've had a few online purchases arrive at our house in pieces. (Heartbreaking!) I wouldn't recommend them for everyday use and I'm sure they're not dishwasher safe, but we've been having fun with them for occasional meals. Some of you may have spotted some in a few of our food photos. We've used them in Kentucky Style Biscuits and Gravy and a few others.

    After purchasing this lovely set we found a great deal on several of the robin's egg blue pieces which we were thrilled to add to our growing collection. Eventually we'd like to own a setting in each color that was produced, which in addition to these would include pink, black, and sand. We'll be on the lookout for them -- they are very hard to find, so we'll cross our fingers for a little luck.

    We'd love to hear about your favorite dishware and see your photos. Please share!

    « Kentucky Style Biscuits and Gravy - A Southern breakfast favorite
    Filet Mignon Steak and Mushrooms in Sherry Wine Sauce »

    About Kevin Mayfield

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    Comments

    1. D. Bruce says

      March 19, 2021 at 9:33 am

      Hi, just wondering if you've been able to find actual documentation that Metlox was the company who made this line? I also collect Monterey Made In California (as well as various Metlox patterns) and I've been unable find anything. It seems really likely, I would just like proof! It was a premium giveaway at grocery stores, which I believe is why they didn't mark it with their brand.

      Reply
      • Lisa Saroyan says

        March 19, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Hello Bruce, I have a HUGE collection of the Metlox Happy Time with very rare pieces that I'm looking to sell all or part of, I also have a prototype that never went into production. If your interested my email is: [email protected]

        Reply
    2. Nancy says

      March 22, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Hello,
      You're absolutely right, it is very difficult to trace the exact lineage of the Monterey Made in California items. I relied on expert collectors for my information. On the website http://www.vernonware.com under "FAQs," about half way down the page there is a heading that says “Monterey – Made in California” Pattern. There is a statement there that says "Monterey was made by Metlox after they bought molds and patterns from Vernon..."

      But you have a point, I will revise the post and provide the source of the information along with the fact that no perfect records exist. Thank you for contacting me; I'm so glad to find other enthusiastic collectors!

      Nancy

      Reply
    3. Karna L. Bosman says

      August 16, 2021 at 8:50 am

      I'm in the process of finding a new home for the coffee cups and saucers in my folks' set of California Ivy and have found articles about lead poisoning. Now I'm wondering if the dishes I use on a daily basis are even safe to use. Is the Poppy Trail California Ivy set safe to use?

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        August 17, 2021 at 10:44 am

        Hi Karna,
        There is no way to know for sure if it is safe to eat off of your dinnerware without performing a lead test on it. In 1971 Metlox did issue a recall of some Poppy Trail dishes due to excessive lead; see the following link:

        There are home lead-testing kits available at hardware stores or online that can detect lead on the surface of the plate, but home tests could miss lead that is embedded deeper. The only way to detect that would be to send it to a lab for testing. Attached is an article on lead in tableware by Contra Costa Health Services:

        I hope all turns out well with your dishes!

        Nancy

        Reply
        • Stephanie Winnard says

          December 02, 2021 at 7:03 pm

          Hello! I just bought an owl cookie jar by made by Metlox Poppytrail and then I also saw articles about a recall of Poppytrail pottery but all of the articles only mentioned dishes but none specifically mentioned cookie jars as being recalled due to lead. So I'm also wondering if this cookie jar is safe to put cookies in. I was wondering if you happen to know if the Metlox recall also included cookie jars or was it only the dishes? Hope this makes sense and I thank you kindly for your time.

          Reply
          • Nancy says

            July 06, 2022 at 9:24 am

            Stephanie,
            I have researched and tried contacting people regarding your inquiry of several months ago, and I could not find a definitive answer on whether the cookie jars contained lead. All I could find was this article stating that cookie jars were found at the contaminated Metlox waste site upon its closing.

            Cookie jars are a favorite among collectors, and no doubt you have a collectible piece. Until you can find out for sure (by perhaps testing it for lead), I think I would give it a prominent place to be viewed and enjoyed without storing cookies inside.

            Nancy
            https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-21-me-2473-story.html

            Reply
    4. Mark Willoughby Wood says

      September 12, 2021 at 9:11 pm

      I collect the orange with black pattern that has what appears to be a "seam with rivets" down the side of each piece.
      Just wondered if there was any info on it or if anyone else collects this style. Thnx, Mark

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        October 13, 2021 at 1:49 pm

        Hi Mark,
        I believe you are collecting what is known as the Metlox Poppytrail "Red Rooster-red" pattern, which entered production in 1955. Red Rooster was produced in both a beige background with dark brown trim and a red rooster pattern (1955-1979), as well as the solid orange-red color with dark brown trim and rivets down the side (1956-1979). It was part of the popular "Poppytrail" line, named for the state flower of California, the poppy. In 1955 the company was owned by Evan K. Shaw of American Pottery/Los Angeles, who purchased Metlox from Willis Prouty in 1946. Image links are attached, let me know if this is not the pattern you are collecting and I will continue to try to identify it for you.
        Cheers!
        Nancy
        Metlox Red Rooster - Red Pattern
        Metlox Red Rooster Pattern

        Reply
        • Kyle says

          March 06, 2022 at 7:33 am

          This is the set I have. Nearly complete and now I’m wondering if it’s safe for daily use.

          Reply
          • Jeri Phillips says

            December 04, 2022 at 6:28 pm

            I just inherited an entire set and I feel the same. These have been used and washed in the dishwasher which worries me with leaching. To be safe I am not going to use them. Makes me sad because I absolutely love them.

            Reply
    5. js says

      October 04, 2022 at 1:18 am

      I would like to know if the Metlax daisy pattern contains lead.

      Reply

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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