09/02/2026
The China King of Chicago: George Zoltan Lefton
From charming figurines and sculptural bookends to ashtrays, wall décor and so much more, Lefton imported an astonishing variety of decorative pieces from Japan that found their way into American homes throughout the mid-20th century.
Behind the name was George Zoltan Lefton who'd eventually become so closely associated with the imported porcelain and ceramics business that his Chicago Tribune obituary remembered him as “The China King.”
Lefton offered an enormous range of designs, from elegant to traditional to whimsical, kitschy to mid-century; that variety is part of what makes collecting vintage Lefton so much fun today.
Often found with foil or paper labels, stamped marks, model numbers and variations of the familiar “Lefton China” name, their pieces provide a snapshot into giftware trends, decorating tastes and the evolving style of postwar America.
Take a look at our eclectic little gathering of Lefton treasures. Which one catches your eye?
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