Kitchen Trivia #10 And August Sale At Mama's Treasures Everyday I learn some new interesting fact about a piece of vintage kitchenalia or the company that produced it. Py/Miyao collectibles are no exception.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Everyday I learn some new interesting fact about a piece of vintage kitchenalia or the company that produced it. I am fascinated by trivia that is kitchen related. I have always loved Py/Miyao products but until recently knew little about the company. I thought I
would share a few of my most recently learned facts about the history of this wonderful company and it’s products. All of these great facts can be found in the book, “Py/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles,” Hobby House Press, 2003, by Belinda Evans.
....Py/Miyao pottery manufacturing began in 1931, but it was not introduced to Americans
until after W.W.II.
....Py marked pottery came from Yokkaichi City, Japan. Another familiar mark on this pottery is “Miyao”. Py pottery did come from a company named Miyao. From 1949 until 1961, Miyawo Company Limited under the name Miyao produced all of these high quality PY novelties for American distributing companies.
....After the war, American military forces occupied Japan to assist with the reparation....During this occupation, the Py trademark was exclusively given to the Miyawo Company by the general headquarters of the American military force.
....Py pottery was made from earthenware, which is soft clay and is known to chip rather easily, it is common to find minor nicks on items.
....most Py/Miyao pottery was intended for use in the kitchen. Because they are made from soft clay, I would not recommend washing them in a dishwasher....when washing any ceramic items, remember to keep water lukewarm. Drastic temperature changes in pottery can cause cracks.
....the F. W. Woolworth Company was one of it’s primary customers....selling Veggie Face Gardeners and pretty flower girl faces.
....In 1949, UCAGO was the second oldest and one of the largest customers....In the 1950’s an original design of dinnerware that represented Italian Provincial Lifestyles was created....an enduring design of a rooster and vibrant pink roses overflowing with green
vines...it was named Early Provincial....This was the beginning of what is known as Rooster and Roses.....UCAGO also distributed the “Oh My, A Fly!” Chef line, and Veggie Kids
....Lefton distributed Boy & Girl Wall Pockets, Dainty Miss, Friends & Toodle Too, Bluebird & Feathery Friends, A Bee Line To Roses, Christmas Tree & Holly...
....Miyawao Co. product lines for Geo. Borgfeldt & Co. include anthropomorphic and Gay 90 tableware and Great American Character jugs....Apple Faces, Pear Faces, Lemon Faces and other Fruit Faces....other distributed lines....Office People, Household People,
Cabbage Rose. Gay 90 Lady & Gentleman and the American Character jugs which included Robert E. Lee, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Captain Ahab, and Ichabod Crane...
....the Miyawo company made many , many novelties for Enesco for eight or nine years...they are hard to distinguish because Enesco didn’t allow any trademarks by the manufacturer besides the word Japan....the Lil Bear line is one that has been identified....Napco distributed Mushroom Faces.....
In the 1960’s ...the Miyawo Company produced for Mikasa producing dinnerware.... the Cerastone Line, French countryside, Ribbon Holly, Mexicana, Silk Flowers....
