Gilner Potteries (1947-1958)
Culver City, California

Gilner Potteries was located in Culver City, California. According to a very gracious phone interview with Mr. Gilner in 1994, he began searching for a new production idea after returning home in 1947 from serving overseas during WWII. He came up with the idea of making Pixies after browsing through a travel brochure on Ireland... and voila!  Lucky for us, the Gilner Pixie was born! (He was quite adamant that they be called "Pixies" and not elves or anything else). The company produced the Pixie line from 1948-1958, just prior to when the company went out of business. At one time, the company employed 122 people, including salesmen who traveled the country to market their various products - generally the dime store was the primary retail outlet. I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Gilner for giving me information about the "Gilner Pixie".  Regretfully, Beryl Gilner passed away several years ago.

The original colors for Gilner Pixies (as identified in Gilner sales literature) include Maroon, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Yellow and bright Red. Planters, wall pockets and other items can be found in Chartreuse, Dark Green and Yellow. As decorating tastes changed in the later 50's, pink and turquoise were introduced and those produced during the last years can be found sprinkled with gold "Pixie Dust" (Beryl Gilner's term).

Gilner items are often unmarked, especially smaller ones. Some originally came with paper labels; however, finding a surviving paper label is pretty rare. Marked items have an incised mark on the bottom which generally includes the word "California" or "Calif" along with "Gilner".  It's really fun when the piece has the year inscribed as well!

The facial features on Gilner Pixies have a most distinctive look about them and should be easily identifiable even in the absence of any marks. For a comparison of facial features between manufacturers, see The Art of Collecting Pixies. The Gilner Pixie always has dimples and a sweetness of expression. The ears are pointed and facial features were hand painted with a delicate hand. Faces and hands may be glazed in a light flesh tone or left unglazed for that great "bisque" look. Facial features were hand-painted by the Gilner employees, which accounts for some minor differences in the eyes and eyebrows. Mr. Gilner had also explained that some employees liked to add some pinkness to the dimpled cheeks, while others were left uncolored.

Study the costumes on the Gilner Pixie! Their caps are made of overlapping leaves and end with a jaunty-looking top that flops over at the end. Jackets are quite detailed, complete with buttons and several different collar & tie styles. For lack of definitive information, I have arbitrarily identified three different types of collars and ties which tend to correspond with the time period of production:  Pointed Collars (1950-1952-ish); Bow Tie; and the Ribbon Tie (1953-?). There is also a Ruffled Collar, generally found on the "Merry Maids" only (see "Gilner Figurines below for information on the "Merry Maids"). Boots always taper to a gentle point.

Because the Gilner Pixie has such a unique and endearing look to it, there should be no mistaking its identity if one examines an item carefully. Many times we see items offered for sale in a shop or an on-line auction where the seller claims "I assume it is a Gilner" when in fact, it is not!  Remember, "Buyer Beware."

The upcoming "Pixie Watch" CD will include a wide variety of Gilner items include ashtrays, boxes, figurines in various poses, cookie jars, salt & pepper shakers, wall pockets, planters and an assortment of kitchen accessories. 

Some of the Gilner Pixie Figurines are included here for you.  

Gilner Figurines

NOTE:  More Gilner Pixie Figurines can be found on the upcoming "Pixie Watch" CD.
Also included are Gilner figural planters, wall pockets, kitchen items and much more!
Send us an email if you wish to be notified when the "Pixie Watch" CD is available!

 

This page last edited 08/26/04

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