Metlox Del Rey Gravy Boat
Updated September 5, 2026
| Lot number | 156 |
| Category | Vehicles & Automotive |
| Auction | Hancock Estate Auction |
| Date | September 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM CDT |
| Auction house | Harrison Auction & Realtor |
| Location | Gracemont, Oklahoma |
VINTAGE METLOX POPPYTRAIL DEL REY GRAVY BOAT - MID-CENTURY ATOMIC FREE FORM, SPECKLED BLUE GLAZE A vintage Metlox Poppytrail Del Rey gravy boat in the pattern's wonderful mid-century atomic free form shape. The deep asymmetrical boat rises from a small oval foot and sweeps out into a long tapering pointed handle, so the whole piece reads as a sculptural stylized leaf rather than ordinary tableware. The exterior wears Del Rey's soft speckled blue satin glaze while the interior is speckled off-white, the two-tone combination that makes this line so recognizable to California pottery collectors. Excellent for gravy or sauce on the table, and equally good for olives, nuts, candy, or dip, or simply displayed as a piece of mid-century design. Sold as one piece. Description Single Del Rey gravy boat, asymmetrical free form silhouette with a deep well, upswept rim, small oval foot, and the long tapering pointed handle extending from one side. The body measures approximately 9" long by approximately 4-1/2" to 5" wide and stands approximately 4-3/4" tall at the high point of the rim, per the tape-measure photographs. The tape photographs cover the bowl only; overall length including the extended pointed handle is greater and was not directly measured. Bidders should verify all dimensions from the photographs. Exterior in a satin, lightly speckled powder blue; interior in matte speckled off-white with fine dark flecks. The color break runs cleanly along the rim and along the top of the handle. No maker's mark, backstamp, model number, or paper label is present on this example. The base is fully glazed in the blue and shows three small stilt or kiln-pin marks, as pictured. Attribution note Del Rey is a Metlox pattern in the Poppytrail line, produced at Metlox Potteries of Manhattan Beach, California, and it carries the speckled two-tone glaze treatment and organic free form shapes typical of Metlox's mid-century output. Replacements, Ltd. catalogs the pattern as Metlox Poppytrail Vernon Del Rey and lists the gravy boat as one of its serving pieces. Metlox marked its wares inconsistently across production runs and many pieces left the factory carrying only a foil or paper label that washed off in use, which accounts for unmarked examples like this one. The Metlox Del Rey identification reflects the pattern, glaze, and shape and is offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion rather than a guarantee. Bid on the item as pictured. Condition Used vintage condition, sold as-is. In the photographs the glaze is clean and even, the blue is strong without fading, and the interior speckling is uniform. No chips, cracks, breaks, or repairs are visible in the photographs. Light surface scuffs and faint handling wear consistent with age may be present, and the three stilt marks on the base are original manufacturing points rather than damage. Areas to study closely are the thin upswept rim edges, the tip of the pointed handle, the underside of the handle where
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