I found this adorable little owl at a flea market a few months back and didn't even notice the makers mark on it until a couple of days ago.
I immediately googled Miller Studio and found out they're an Ohio-based company!
Based in New Philadelphia, OH (about 2 hrs southeast of Cleveland), Miller Studio has been in the same location since it started in 1934.
Miller Store in 1954 | Check out the awesome face on the exterior!
Started in 1934 by Clela and Howard Miller initially as a gift store, The Miller's expanded to incorporate high quality hand-painted wall plaques and giftables. They currently have worldwide distribution of over 100 designs.
The material they sell, Chalkware, is a type of decorative figure cast from a type of plaster of paris. When it initially began, it was known as the "poor man's porcelain" and primarily sold by carnival vendors. Because of their fragility, a lot of chalkware and plaster pieces are damaged but you can still find figurines, shelving brackets, bookends and wall hangings at thrift stores, flea markets...etc.
Some other Miller Studio chalkware designs from the 1970s
To see more vintage Miller Studio chalkware plaques, check out this ebay collection.
Purchase the chalk ware owl here
With my Grandparents from New Philadelphia, I got to know the Miller studio. My grandfather (local B&O agent) and the founder were friends. Thus, my brother and I got a personal tour of the company in the early 60's. What a wonderful gentleman!
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