VINTAGE CALIFORNIA POTTERY "TREASURE CRAFT" "CALIFORNIA" SOUVENIR BUTTERFLY DISH

Description

THIS VINTAGE "TREASURE CRAFT" CALIFORNIA POTTERY DISH FEATURES A SUNSHINE YELLOW-AND-ORANGE GLOSSY GLAZE WITH PRETTY FLOWERS EMBOSSED INTO THE DESIGN...THE BOTTOM AND BORDERS AROUND THE BUTTERFLY ARE THE "TREASURE CRAFT" TRADEMARK MATTE-FINISH FAUX WOOD GRAIN PATTERN.  VERY PRETTY!!
THE DISH MEASURES JUST ABOUT 5-1/2" SQUARE AND SAYS "CALIFORNIA" AT THE TOP.  CUTE ON YOUR DRESSER, WOULDN'T IT BE?  OR A NICE LITTLE CANDY DISH...
THE PIECE HAS THE "TREASURE CRAFT - MADE IN USA" STAMPING ON THE BOTTOM.  IT COMES FROM A HISTORIC CALIFORNIA POTTERY COMPANY WITH AN INTERESTING STORY.
IN OVERALL EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION; IT LOOKS PERFECT, WITH NO CHIPS, CRACKS OR CRAZING.  THE BOTTOM DOES HAVE SOME RUB MARKS IN THE "WOOD GRAIN" -- IT'S BEEN LOVED, AND YOU'LL LOVE IT TOO!
HISTORY OF TREASURE-CRAFT CALIFORNIA POTTERY
Treasure Craft, which was at one time California's largest pottery producer, was founded in 1945 by Alfred A. Levin shortly after his discharge from the Navy. He began his business by selling items manufactured by local California potters, setting up shop in Gardena, near Los Angeles.
From its start until it closed in 1995, Treasure Craft was a popular maker of stone pottery, which included cookie jars, dinnerware and collectibles by well-known sculptors such as Robert Maxwell and Don Winton.
Heyday of Treasure Craft Pottery
By the early 1950s, Treasure Craft was manufacturing its own ceramics and had expanded to several small locations in southern California. In 1956 Treasure Craft consolidated manufacturing and shipping in Compton. The company also opened a second facility in Hawaii, which was responsible for some of Treasure Craft's most popular lines (known as "Hawaiiana").
This original location was later the front door to the facility in the late 1990s. Bruce Levin, Alfred's son, joined Treasure Craft in 1972 and succeeded his father as the company's president.
In November 1988, Treasure Craft was acquired by the Pfaltzgraff Company of York, Pennsylvania. Pfaltzgraff, which was founded in 1811 was at the time the largest and oldest manufacturer of casual dinnerware in America.
Over the years, Treasure Craft gained a reputation as a front-runner in the housewares and gift industry, primarily due to its dynamic designs in decorative kitchen pantry ware and tableware. Notable product offerings have included southwest looks such as "Taos" and its collectible cookie jars, many of which were styled as Disney film characters such as Snow White.
Treasure Craft ceased manufacturing in Los Angeles in 1995 when an import program was established, enabling the company to offer sharply competitive prices. Treasure Craft's products were then sourced either in Mexico or Asia. The line was focused on cookie jars and casual kitchen coordinates. Approximately 60 percent of the products were licensed designs.