Metlox Teapot & Sugar

MID-CENTURY MODERN TWO-TONE BLUE CERAMIC TEAPOT AND COVERED SUGAR BOWL WITH WHITE LOOP HANDLES Two-piece mid-century modern ceramic set consisting of a lidded teapot and a matching lidded sugar bowl, glazed in the same soft speckled powder blue with contrasting speckled cream-white handles, rims, and interiors as the companion pitcher offered in this sale. The teapot has a full pear-shaped body on a low pedestal foot, an upswept tubular spout, and a tall open white loop handle with a small curled tail where it meets the body. The sugar bowl is a sculptural conical form with an oval top, and both lids carry the same distinctive white triple-lobe loop finial. Clean lines, warm speckled glaze, and a designer silhouette that displays as well as it serves. Sold as a lot of two pieces, each with its lid, for a total of four parts. Description Maker and line as identified by the consignor: Metlox Poppytrail, Manhattan Beach, California, mid-century Del Rey / California modern colorware Pieces included: one covered teapot with lid, one covered sugar bowl with lid Teapot: pear-shaped body on a low pedestal foot, upswept tubular spout, tall open white loop handle with curled lower terminal, oval domed lid with white triple-loop finial and a vent hole Sugar bowl: tapered conical body rising to a wide oval rim, oval lid with the matching white triple-loop finial and a stepped white flange that seats inside the rim Glazing: satin speckled light blue exterior on both pieces, speckled cream-white interiors, rims, handles, finials, and lid flanges Teapot measures approximately 7-1/2" tall to the top of the finial per the tape-measure photograph Sugar bowl measures approximately 3-1/2" to 3-3/4" tall to the top of the finial and approximately 5" to 5-1/2" across the oval lid per the tape-measure photographs Bidders should verify all dimensions from the photographs No backstamp or base photograph is included in this batch, so no mark is quoted here Attribution note Metlox Potteries of Manhattan Beach, California, operated from 1927, produced dinnerware from the early 1930s, and ran its Poppytrail division from 1946 until the company closed in 1989. In the mid-1950s Metlox introduced modern shapes glazed in speckled solid colors, often with contrasting white or cream trim, marketed under names including California Contempora, California Modern, California Freeform, and California Del Rey. Replacements, Ltd. lists Del Rey by Metlox Poppytrail Vernon as discontinued with an actual start of 1955, and reference material identifies Del Rey as Metlox dinnerware series 4200. One point worth stating plainly: Replacements describes the Del Rey pattern itself as blue with gray dots and black loops, and neither of these pieces carries dot or loop decoration, so this set may be the plain two-tone colorware version of the same 1950s Metlox shapes rather than the decorated Del Rey pattern. The Metlox and Del Rey identification is offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion and is not guaranteed; no maker, pattern name, or production date is warranted. Bid on the items as pictured. Condition Used vintage condition, sold as-is. Both pieces present well in the photographs with even satin glaze, good clean color, and bright cream interiors, and both lids are present and seat properly. No cracks or obvious repairs are visible in the photographs. The teapot spout tip shows a small pale area at the top edge in one photograph that may be a minor glaze nick, flake, or wear spot, and bidders should examine that area closely. The white lid flange on the sugar bowl shows light tan discoloration and faint use marks typical of a lid that has been seated and lifted for decades, and light tan shading is visible where the teapot lid meets its gallery. The small dark flecks throughout the surfaces are the intentional speckling in the glaze and are not damage. Expected light surface wear, faint utensil marks, and minor scuffs consistent with age and use may be present. The high spout tip, the thin loop handles and their curled terminals, the delicate triple-loop finials, and the lid and rim edges are the vulnerable areas on pieces shaped like these. The unglazed feet and undersides are not shown in the photographs. Photos are part of the description. Notes for bidders Hand-wash in warm water with mild soap and dry promptly; avoid dishwashers, prolonged soaking, sudden temperature changes, and abrasive cleaners on the satin glaze. Do not use on a stovetop or in an oven or microwave. Only the pieces pictured are included in this lot. Terms Sold as-is, where-is, All sales final. Please ask any questions before bidding. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements per auction terms.