This handsome pair of whimsical lions were created by the Lefton Company. They have a lovely hand-painted matte finish in tawny caramel browns, tans and blacks. They have nice big black hand painted eyes that look right at you. They both have the original red and gold labels on the bottom that read "Lefton Trade Mark Exclusives Japan” and the number "H7063”. The sitting lion is approximately 4 inches long and 3 inches wide and the lion that is lying down is approximately 4 1/2 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. These were most likely made mid-century 1950s to 1960s era.

The Lefton China Company was founded by George Zolton Lefton in Chicago, Illinois in 1940. He was a Hungarian immigrant who came to the United States in 1939. In 1945 he traveled to Japan and signed an import agreement. The first items arrived in the US in 1946 and the company became known as distributors of high quality ceramic gift-ware that was made overseas. Lefton China continued to be produced in Japan until the 1970s.

Both of these adorable lions are in excellent condition, no chips, cracks or repairs. There are a couple of minor imperfections, but they are original to the piece. I have taken many pictures and enlarged them so you can see the wonderful condition for yourself.

These are perfect additions to your collection of lions and cats. Lefton figurines in this condition are hard to find. I think if you do a Google search you will not find this set anywhere.

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