Came across this unusual Chalice of California square bowl the other day. This is only the 2nd time we’ve come across it at the thrift, though we see it from time to time in antique malls. It’s also nearly impossible to find in auctions - because searching for the name “Chalice” will turn up millions and millions of cups, goblets and other drinking vessels! If you’re looking for it (or selling it), we’d suggest adding “California pottery”, “mid century” or “modern” or some other sort of identifier.

This is an unknown pattern, but very typical of the look from the company which produced dinnerware and housewares from the 1940s-1950s. Some of their ware is quite unusual in shape, and some might say a little ahead of their time. In particular, there are pitchers and serving items that look quite daring for the time period. Most of the items are rough matte glazed on the outside, like this little bowl we found. We think it’s a bowl, though at first we thought it might have been the bottom of a covered trinket box.