Lefton Figurine

Q: This figurine has markings I’m not familiar with. It has a crossed arrow and curved sword above “GG5753.” Can you identify the maker for me?

A: This mark was used by the George Zoltan Lefton Company, an importer in Chicago. George Zoltan Lefton (1905-1996) was a Hungarian immigrant who came to the United States in 1939. He was a sportswear designer and manufacturer before he started his ceramics business in 1941. Most of the ceramics were imported from Japan until the 1970s, when Lefton began importing goods from Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. This arrow and saber mark was used beginning in 1971. Lefton used a series of two-letter codes identifying the factory where the ceramics were made. Unfortunately, this factory is unknown. The numbers are probably the item or catalog number. The Lefton brand became part of OMT Enterprises of Gardena, California, in 2005.