Guide to Mid-Century Dishware

Metlox

Metlox got its start in the 1920s as ProutyLine Products. The company eventually combined parts of the words “metal” and “oxide” (the chemical that imparts vivid hues to ceramics) to come up with the Metlox name.

This company made many different dinnerware lines, and by the 1960s their dishware sales were booming. While most were traditional-looking patterns with flowers, fruit, and other common motifs, several 1950s sets from the Poppytrail line in the Freeform shape had great Mid-Century appeal. In 1958, Metlox acquired the Vernon Kilns name and molds, and some of those patterns followed suit. Look for “atomic” patterns such as Heavenly, Anytime, Aztec (as shown here), and Mobile, among others.

Since these lines were readily available in major department stores, brides easily added the sets they wanted to their registry lists—further boosting sales.