Japanese Lefton Ceramic Cheese & Mouse Butter Dish Bell Dome 7"

Description

Mid 20th century ceramic cheese / butter dish. Round yellow underplate and lid / dome featuring a gray mouse perched on a wheel of swiss cheese. Underplate marked 014. Attributed to Lefton China.

"George Zoltan Lefton came to the United States from Hungary in 1939. He had worked in sportswear in Hungary, but his love for fine porcelain soon became a business when he established the Lefton Company in 1941 in Chicago. During the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, many Japanese-owned businesses in Chicago were looted. Lefton helped his Japanese American friend Nunome board up his business. After the war, Nunome assisted Lefton in building relationships with China producers in Occupied Japan. In August 1945, the Allies occupied Japan after Japan's unconditional surrender. While the Allies planned to help rebuild Japan, they wanted to prevent Japan from rearming itself. Pottery and porcelain manufacturing was considered acceptable by General Douglas McArthur and the Allies. Lefton was among the first American businessmen to work with the Japanese after World War II. The first pieces of Lefton China, marked "Made in Occupied Japan," arrived in the United States in 1946. Lefton China, manufactured during the Occupied Japan era, encompasses a range of pieces dating from 1946 to 1952. The designs feature delicate and formal pieces with gold edging, soft floral patterns, and whimsical and playful designs from the 1950s. The Miyawo Company was responsible for producing many of these pieces during this period, known for their excellent quality and reasonable pricing. Over the years, the Lefton Company has produced numerous products that are highly sought after by collectors, including, but not limited to, cookie jars, holiday items, figurines, teapots, jam jars, planters, pitchers, shakers, Red Hat pieces, wall pockets, and head vases. You can quickly identify Lefton China by checking the marks on the base of each piece. The identifying marks may vary and can include "Lefton's," "Lefton China," "Geo. Z. Lefton," "G.Z.L.," or simply a letter "L." Some pieces were marked with a maker's mark and a paper label. If the pieces were made between 1946 and 1952, you would find "Made in Occupied Japan" as part of the identifying markings. Lefton China was produced in Japan until the 1970s. After that, production shifted to Taiwan and Malaysia, but the quality remained consistently high. Sadly, George Z. Lefton passed away in 1996. Eventually, after 60 years of creating beloved collectibles and kitchenware, the Lefton Company was sold to OMT Enterprises in 2005." (Source: Vintage Virtue)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear, crazing

Dimensions

7.25" x 5" (Diameter x Height)