Everyone Had Them In The '50s – Now It's The Valuable & Colorful Wall Decor We'd Be Thrilled To Find

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Keeping vintage home decor alive is about more than just finding collectibles or furniture that catch your eye. Once you realize how much history a vintage piece holds, it becomes more than part of your interior decor — it's also a way to preserve the knowledge and memories attached to it. Ask anyone who grew up in the '50s if the brand name "Lefton" rings a bell, one of the first things that will probably come to mind is its iconic hand-painted china. In fact, some of the pieces vintage enthusiasts have coveted include the "Miss Dainty" teacups and the Angel Fish wall plaques.

The craftsmanship and whimsy collectors have found in Lefton porcelains and ceramics came from someone who had a huge passion for them himself. A Hungarian sportswear designer named George Zoltan Lefton became a porcelain enthusiast and started his namesake business in 1941, shortly after arriving in Chicago. Not long after, Lefton helped his Japanese-American friend protect his business from being looted, which led to a long-term partnership where all Lefton pieces were manufactured in Japan until production shifted to Taiwan and Malaysia in the 1970s. Even after those changes, Lefton's collectibles and kitchenware remained known for their high quality, with authentic vintage pieces selling for around $80 on sites like Etsy.

Lefton pieces can range from delicate, formal designs to colorful, cheerful ones, making the brand's style difficult to pin down. However, other vintage brands like Norcrest may have similar-looking designs, and others may be selling their own handmade, Lefton-inspired pieces, so studying any artistic elements might be a time-consuming challenge. Luckily, all you need to find is the maker's mark to identify Lefton decor. Some pieces dated between 1946 and 1952 may show "Made in Occupied Japan," while those made from 1953 onward will have Lefton's logo in script in gold trim against a red background.

Your search for vintage Lefton ceramics may have drawn to a close, but now you're probably second-guessing the idea of hanging these delicate items on your wall. Fret not, as there are plenty of ways to do this safely, even if you doubt the good ol' nail-on-the-wall trick your grandma swears by. One of the styling secrets for thrifted vintage ceramics seasoned decorators recommend is using a set of adhesive disc stickers for about $20 on Amazon. Specifically made for hanging plates and ceramics, these circular fabric pieces have a sticky backing and can hold up to three pounds, depending on their size. Alternatively, you can adapt a method used to perfectly hang decorative plates by using a wall-mounted wire plate rack. Simply nest the vintage plaque securely between its two hooks.