California Pottery Box

Q: I recently bought a ceramic box at a yard sale. The base color is white, and the box is decorated with gold trim, green vines and a green frog. The bottom is marked “Freeman Leidy, Laguna Beach, Calif.”

A: California pottery-making was in its prime during the 1930s and ’40s. During World War II, California pottery production increased because there were no imports from Japan, Germany or Italy. Freeman Leidy was active in Laguna Beach from 1944 to 1955. The company made figurines, tiles and giftware. It also made many glazed and footed ceramic boxes like yours, often with floral designs. Price depends on size. Your box could sell for about $200.