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| July and March birthday angels. |
When I grew up in the 1940s figurines of all sorts were prominently displayed in homes, particularly the Wright household, which may account for my nostalgic fondness for pieces inherited from my mother Grace. I'm sure a number of my "older" friends can relate.
Included in my collection are three special occasion hand-painted china Angel dolls -- two birthday and one Christmas -- crafted by Geo. Z. Lefton. I wouldn't part with them for the world. For me there's something soothing about these charming keepsakes and the memories attached to them.
My favorites are the birthday angel dolls, one July for my mother's birthday and the other March for mine. I know that there was a February doll too (my dad's birth month) but for the life of me I do not know what happened to it.
The July angel is appropriately labelled Water Lilly Ruby because she is holding a basket of delicate pink water lillies. The March angel is appropriately a St. Partick's Day boy (March 17) outfitted in suitable Kelly green Irish attire, complete with Shamrocks and Irish roses.
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| "Xmas" Angel |
The Christmas angel is more like a Mrs. Santa with her bright red, fur-lined coat and hat and arms full of gifts...Truly a work of art. Lefton's angels were known for their black, piercing eyes. My mother brought out the Christmas angel only during the Yuletide season.
It is interesting to note that George Zoltan Lefton, also referred to as Geo Z Lefton, arrived in the United States from Hungary in 1939. Although Lefton made his living in Hungary in sportswear, his passion for fine porcelain turned from a hobby into a business when he founded the Lefton Company in 1941 in Chicago.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, many Japanese-owned businesses in Chicago were looted. Lefton helped board up a business owned by Nunome, a Japanese-American friend. After the war, Nunome assisted Lefton in developing essential relationships with china producers in Occupied Japan. The Allies' plan was to help Japan rebuild and grow, but not to allow Japan to have the manufacturing capabilities to rearm itself. Pottery and porcelain manufacturing fit into the areas of acceptability as set by General Douglas McArthur and the ally forces.
Lefton was one of the first American businessmen to deal with the Japanese after World War II. The first pieces of Lefton China with the "Made in Occupied Japan" mark reached the United States in 1946.
Fine china produced by Lefton in Occupied Japan included a wide range of pieces, dating from 1946 to 1952. Designs included delicate, formal pieces with gold edging and soft floral patterns to the whimsical and playful designs of the 1950s. Many of the pieces of Lefton China from Occupied Japan were produced by the Miyawo Company during this period. Quality and price were notably reasonable on Lefton China pieces from this period.
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.
At one time Lefton products were sold in more than 10,000 shops in the United States and Canada, and given their popularity it seems unlikely that one could go very far in any antique mall in the country without finding a piece of Lefton china or a Lefton figurine.
Lefton China can be identified by the marks on the base of each piece. Identifying marks vary, but they may include "Lefton's," "Lefton China," "Geo. Z. Lefton," "G.Z.L.," or just a letter "L." Many pieces were marked by both a maker's mark and a paper label, as is the case with my Water Lilly Ruby. Those made from 1946 to 1952 will also include "Made in Occupied Japan" as a part of the identifying markings.
Lefton China continued to be produced in Japan until the 1970s. Production in the 1980s and beyond moved to Taiwan and Malaysia. Most importantly, the quality remained high. Unfortunately, George Z. Lefton died in 1996 and the Lefton Company was sold in 2001 after 60 years of producing some of the most popular collectibles and kitchenware. Production under the Lefton China label continues today.
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