I see mysteries and complications wherever I look... Martha Gelhorn

{HISTORY}

Vintage gravy boats are always exciting. Whether they are coming round your way at the table full of roast turkey juices or you are repurposing them for another use entirely, they are one of the most creative vessels in the vintage dishware world. In addition to their traditional purposes, they can also act as a holder for lots of other things in the kitchen from foodstuffs at a cocktail party to plants for your indoor herb garden. That's how we like to use them best here in the Vintage Kitchen because they contain so much personality and are often comprised of quirky shapes, they look fantastic in group settings but also are quite stately all on their own. 

This vintage floral gravy boat with its scalloped rim known as Oxford, is from the Mildred pattern line made in the 1930's by Mount Clemens Pottery. Located in Mount Clemens, Michigan, this pottery had a little bit of a complicated past. In an effort to bring industry to an economically struggling area of Michigan during World War I, a local business association studied the pottery industry in Pennsylvania and Ohio in order to learn a new trade that would supply jobs and commerce to the state. Post-research, Mount Clemens Pottery was born and prosperity and growth followed shortly after. Throughout the 1920s and 1930's, Mount Clemens did a wonderful job building beautiful dishware but the pottery faced a  lawsuit from its workers in the 1940s over wage disputes. The lawsuit made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where the case was eventually overruled but workers did manage to push for and win a small amount of back wages owed to them by the company as a result of their efforts. This particular case is still cited in workers compensation suits and continues to inspire people to fight for equitable work environments for all. Mount Clemens Pottery closed down in the mid-1980s, but this gravy boat now serves as a wonderful example of worker's pride and equal rights. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Gold rim and handle details

- Floral pattern includes the following colors - spring green, gold, raspberry, lemon yellow, blueberry sage green and pink 

- USA backstamp

{CONDITION}

In lovely condition. No chips or cracks. Some light crazing on the bottom pedestal portion of the boat and some light rubbing on gold rim. 

{SIZE}

Measures 8" inches (length) x 4" inches (width) x 3" inches (height)

{WHY IT IS ESPECIALLY LOVELY}

The floral pattern of this design wraps all the way around the gravy boat making it an attractive dish from any angle, including the spout, where the two patterns meet to form an attractive, balanced design.