2.1 1958 Pixieware — The Holt Howard Archive

In 1958, Holt-Howard introduced what would become one of the most recognizable novelty ceramic lines of the mid-century era. At a time when backyard entertaining, patio dining, and playful kitchen accessories were becoming part of American domestic life, the company unveiled a collection of condiment jars, decanters, cruets, shakers, spoons, and tabletop pieces unlike anything collectors had seen before. These were not merely useful household objects decorated with cute faces. They were small ceramic characters, each carrying the humor, color, and personality that would soon make Pixieware Holt-Howard’s most famous creation.

The secret to Pixieware’s appeal was never simply its function. Each piece featured an expressive pixie character whose face, posture, and attitude often reflected the contents it contained. Smiling, crying, mischievous, worried, or flirtatious, these little imps transformed ordinary kitchen and serving pieces into conversation starters. A jar of onions could weep, a liquor decanter could look woozy, and a simple condiment container could suddenly feel like part of a much larger cast of characters. That blend of practical use and visual comedy gave the line a charm that still feels remarkably fresh more than sixty years later.

The 1958 line laid the foundation for everything that followed. Holt-Howard would expand Pixieware dramatically in 1959, and the success of the original designs would eventually inspire British adaptations, competing knockoffs, and later reinterpretations. Over time, “Pixieware” also became what is known as a proprietary eponym: a brand name that comes to be used more broadly for an entire category of similar products. Much as people often use names such as Band-Aid, Kleenex, Thermos, or Xerox to describe similar items regardless of manufacturer, collectors today often use “Pixieware” to describe mid-century pixie-themed ceramics beyond Holt-Howard alone. That broader usage speaks to the lasting influence of the original Holt-Howard designs, and it all begins with the 1958 line.

The 1958 Holt Howard Pixieware Line

Jam 'n Jelly

The Jam 'n Jelly was one of the original Pixieware pieces introduced by Holt-Howard in 1958. Intended for jams, jellies, preserves, and other breakfast spreads, it features a smiling pixie head with an integrated serving spoon attached beneath the lid. The design established many of the characteristics that would define the early Pixieware line, including the oversized head, expressive face, and brightly colored body.

Walter Dworkin noted that Japanese production runs for Pixieware pieces were often manufactured in lots of approximately 100 dozen pieces (1,200 units) per run. The Jam 'n Jelly remained in production from 1958 through 1962 and likely underwent multiple manufacturing runs during that period.

Walter also documented that although the Jam 'n Jelly, Ketchup, and Mustard were individually boxed and sold separately, they were featured together in B. Altman & Company's 1958 Christmas Catalog and offered as a three-piece set for $4.95. Individual Pixieware pieces commonly retailed for approximately 99 cents, making them affordable for many households while still representing a meaningful discretionary purchase. They were neither inexpensive impulse items nor luxury goods, but rather well-designed gift and entertaining pieces intended for consumers willing to spend a little extra on something distinctive and fun for the home. While exact production totals are unknown, the extended production life of these designs helps explain why they remain among the more commonly encountered members of the original Pixieware line today.

Dimensions: Approximately 5½ inches tall × 4½ inches wide.

Ketchup

The Ketchup was one of the original Pixieware condiment pieces introduced by Holt-Howard in 1958. It shares the same basic form as the Jam 'n Jelly and Mustard, featuring a brightly colored orange pixie head with an integrated serving spoon attached beneath the lid. Intended for table service and casual entertaining, it remains one of the most recognizable pieces in the original Pixieware lineup.

Dimensions: Approximately 5½ inches tall × 4½ inches wide.

Mustard

Introduced alongside the Ketchup in 1958, the Mustard was designed as a companion piece and shares the same overall form, dimensions, and construction. Like its counterpart, it features a brightly colored pixie head with an integrated serving spoon attached beneath the lid. Together, the Ketchup and Mustard represent one of the most familiar pairings in the entire Pixieware line.

Dimensions: Approximately 5½ inches tall × 4½ inches wide.

Instant Coffee

Introduced in 1958, the Instant Coffee was one of the earliest additions to the growing Pixieware line. Intended for the storage and serving of instant coffee, it shares the same overall form and construction as the original condiment jars. The piece features a pixie head with an integrated serving spoon attached beneath the lid, while a rubber gasket fitted around the outer rim helped create a tighter seal between the lid and jar. Its brown color scheme and cheerful expression made it a distinctive addition to the expanding family of Pixieware kitchen accessories.

Many surviving examples no longer retain their original rubber gasket. Over time, the rubber often became brittle, chipped, or deteriorated entirely. As a result, examples that still retain an intact original gasket are generally considered more desirable by collectors, even though the rubber itself has typically hardened considerably with age.

The accompanying box graphic shown here is an actual-size restored reproduction of the original artwork used on Holt-Howard's packaging. Beyond its visual appeal, the graphic helps document how the company marketed the piece and confirms its intended purpose. Such packaging material provides valuable insight into the presentation and merchandising of Pixieware during its original production era.

Dimensions: Approximately 5½ inches tall × 4½ inches wide.

Lil' Sugar and Cream Crock

Introduced in 1958, Lil' Sugar and the Cream Crock were sold together as a matching sugar and creamer set. Lil' Sugar features a winking pixie head with an integrated spoon attached beneath the lid and is noticeably smaller than most other Pixieware jars, standing approximately 5 inches tall and measuring about 2¼ inches wide from ear to ear. Her aqua hair bow matches the ten aqua stripes decorating the sugar bowl. Walter Dworkin noted that Lil' Sugar and the Olive jar were among the first “winking pixies” created by Holt-Howard.

The matching Cream Crock measures approximately 2¾ inches tall and carries the same ten aqua stripes as the sugar bowl. Unlike most Pixieware pieces, however, the Cream Crock was not designed with a pixie head and instead serves as a simple companion creamer. Both pieces are copyrighted 1958 and were originally sold together as a boxed set.

Dimensions: Lil' Sugar approximately 5 inches tall × 2¼ inches wide; Cream Crock approximately 2¾ inches tall.

The Cocktail Condiment Jars

Introduced in 1958, the Cocktail Cherries, Cocktail Onions, and Cocktail Olives were designed as a coordinated group of specialty condiment jars intended for home entertaining and cocktail service. Holt-Howard advertised the trio alongside the first “Happy Party Gremlins” liquor decanters and a four-piece set of pixie liquor bottle bracelets, creating a complete bar-service series for the mid-century home.

As time passed, the word “Cocktail” was removed from all three jars. This change likely reflected a marketing decision to broaden their appeal beyond bar use and allow the pieces to function as general-purpose condiment containers. Today, examples can be found both with and without the word “Cocktail,” reflecting this evolution in Holt-Howard's marketing strategy.

Cherries

The Cherries jar was designed for maraschino cherries and similar garnishes. A cherry forms the pixie's nose, while the restored reproduction of the original box graphic shown here illustrates how Holt-Howard marketed the piece. Like the Onions jar, it utilized a perforated serving spoon attached beneath the lid to allow excess liquid to drain before serving.

Onions

The Onions jar was intended for cocktail onions and other pickled garnishes. An onion bulb with green leaves forms the pixie's nose, giving the character a distinctive appearance that immediately identifies its contents. The restored reproduction of the original box graphic helps document the original presentation of the piece. Like the Cherries jar, it employed a perforated serving spoon attached beneath the lid.

Olives

The Olives jar is perhaps the most distinctive member of the trio. An olive with two leaves forms the pixie's nose, while a pimento creates his smile. The restored reproduction of the original box graphic demonstrates how Holt-Howard originally presented the piece to consumers. Unlike the Cherries and Onions jars, the Olives jar utilized a stainless-steel two-pronged fork or pick attached beneath the lid for retrieving individual olives.

Perforated spoons and olive pick — Cherries and Onions used perforated spoons; Olives used a stainless-steel fork or pick.

Perforated Spoons & Olive Picks

Unlike earlier Pixieware condiment jars, which employed solid serving spoons, the Cherries and Onions jars were equipped with perforated spoons designed to allow excess liquid to drain before serving. The Olives jar took a different approach, utilizing a stainless-steel two-pronged fork or pick attached beneath the lid for retrieving individual olives. These specialized utensils demonstrate Holt-Howard's willingness to adapt the Pixieware format to suit the specific contents of each container.

The Single-Spear Olive Variant

Examples of the Olives jar are known with both a single-pronged spear and the more commonly encountered two-pronged fork. The exact relationship between these two configurations remains unknown. One possibility is that the single-pronged version represents an earlier production design that was later revised. Another is that both versions were manufactured concurrently, perhaps by different factories or during separate production runs.

Because no surviving Holt-Howard documentation has been identified that explains the change, the reason for the two configurations remains speculative. The two-pronged version is encountered more frequently today, but whether this reflects a later design revision, a larger production run, or another manufacturing decision remains an open question.

Happy Party Gremlins liquor decanters — The complete Happy Party Gremlins liquor decanter line, including both solid-base and striped-base examples.

Original liquor decanter catalog image — Black-and-white catalog reproduction of the very first original liquor decanters.

Solid-base liquor decanters — Known production examples of the solid-base liquor decanters.

Striped-base liquor decanters — The later striped-base liquor decanters.

Happy Party Gremlins Liquor Decanters

Introduced in 1958, the Happy Party Gremlins liquor decanters represented Holt-Howard's expansion of Pixieware into home entertaining and barware. The trio consisted of Whisky, 300 Proof, and Devil Brew, each featuring a removable pixie-head stopper atop a large ceramic decanter base. Holt-Howard advertised the decanters alongside the Cocktail Cherries, Cocktail Onions, and Cocktail Olives jars, as well as a matching set of pixie bottle bracelets, creating a coordinated bar-service series for the mid-century home.

The Original Solid-Base Decanters

The earliest known version of the Happy Party Gremlins appears in Holt-Howard catalog photography showing three decanters with solid-colored ceramic bases. These original decanters were the only Pixieware pieces ever produced without the striped decoration that would later become synonymous with the line. According to John Howard, although the solid-colored decanters featured a well-coordinated design, consumers preferred the striped appearance used throughout the rest of the Pixieware family. Within a short time, Holt-Howard revised the decanters and reissued them with striped bases.

Large Pixieware pieces such as these decanters were manufactured in limited production runs of approximately 300 pieces each, compared to the condiment jars which were often produced in runs of approximately 100 dozen (1,200 pieces). As a result, substantially fewer liquor decanters were produced than the condiment jars, helping explain their relative scarcity today.

The Mystery of “Alcohol”

The black-and-white catalog image reproduced above presents an intriguing mystery. The leftmost decanter is labeled “Alcohol,” while later production examples are labeled “Whisky.” When the decanters were redesigned with striped bases, the “Alcohol” pixie appears to have evolved into the whimsically misspelled “Whisky” character. In addition to the name change, the production version received a top hat and an altered bow tie design.

Walter Dworkin noted that no confirmed example of the “Alcohol” decanter had surfaced at the time his guides were published. Whether the piece entered full production, existed only as a prototype, or survives today in extremely limited numbers remains unknown. The catalog image therefore provides important evidence of an early developmental stage in the evolution of the Happy Party Gremlins line.

The Transition to Striped Bases

When Holt-Howard introduced the striped versions, it retained the color schemes established by the original solid-base decanters. According to company catalog information, 300 Proof received aqua stripes, Devil Brew olive stripes, and Whisky amber stripes. While 300 Proof and Devil Brew remained largely unchanged, the Whisky character underwent the most significant redesign.

John Howard also provided insight into the creation of Devil Brew. The bright orange paint used on the character's head was applied as cold paint rather than beneath the glaze. Because of this manufacturing process, an orange body would have been impractical. John also recalled that his brother Bob Howard preferred a strong contrast between Devil Brew's bright orange head and darker olive-colored base, creating a more ominous and diabolical appearance.

Design Notes & Production Details

Both the solid-base and striped-base decanters stand approximately 10½ inches tall and hold about three cups (24 ounces) of liquid. Although intended as liquor decanters, Holt-Howard also advertised the bases as functioning well as flower vases. This secondary use has become particularly relevant to collectors because many surviving examples have become separated from their original stoppers over the decades. As a result, decanter bases are frequently encountered and are sometimes mistakenly identified as vases when offered for sale.

The decanters were individually packaged rather than sold as a set, and all examples are copyrighted 1958. Together, they represent one of the most ambitious and visually striking expansions of the original Pixieware line.

Bottle Bracelets

As part of its 1958 cocktail bar line, Holt-Howard introduced a series of ceramic “Whiskey Whimsy” liquor-bottle bracelets. Each pixie head was labeled with a specific libation and designed to mimic the characters found in the Happy Party Gremlins liquor decanter set. Individual in personality, each pixie head was attached to a bright brass chain that slipped over a liquor bottle, instantly identifying its contents while adding a whimsical decorative touch.

The bottle bracelets were packaged as a set of four in a 10½-inch by 2½-inch rectangular box with a clear cellophane window. Known production examples include Whiskey, Gin, Bourbon, and Scotch. However, Walter Dworkin noted that Holt-Howard catalog illustrations appear to depict additional designs labeled Rye and Rum. Walter's sketches of these two elusive pixies are reproduced here. Whether Rye and Rum were produced in limited quantities, included in alternate retail assortments, or remained unproduced catalog concepts is unknown.

Rye bracelet sketch — Walter Dworkin’s sketch of the elusive Rye bracelet.

The Rum bracelet sketch appears to depict the flowering top of a sugarcane plant running down the center of the face. While Walter Dworkin did not specifically identify the feature, the design would be thematically appropriate given rum's historical association with sugarcane. The Rye bracelet features a distinctly different facial design and expression, suggesting that both were conceived as unique characters rather than simple label variations.

Walter further observed that although bottle bracelets were originally sold as sets, surviving examples are often found individually today. Because the ceramic heads were suspended from brass chains and frequently came into contact with glass bottles, many were likely broken over the decades. As a result, complete sets are considerably more difficult to locate than individual examples.

Original packaging: Set of four in a 10½-inch × 2½-inch box with cellophane display window.

Stacking Seasons

Introduced in 1958, the Stacking Seasons were one of Holt-Howard's more inventive Pixieware designs. The set consists of two salt shakers and two pepper shakers, each decorated with colorful stripes that coordinate with the broader Pixieware line. The shakers were designed specifically for portability, making them well suited for picnics, patios, and other outdoor entertaining.

Each shaker features two notches along its sides that allow it to lock into place against a pair of upright wooden dowels mounted on a circular wooden base. When assembled, the four shakers stack vertically, creating a compact and secure storage arrangement. Walter Dworkin described the design as an ingenious solution that allowed all four shakers to be transported together while remaining neatly organized.

The four shakers were produced in blue, green, pink, and yellow, matching the colors used throughout the Pixieware condiment line. Each shaker features eight stripes and was sold as part of a complete set that included the wooden rack and base. All examples are copyrighted 1958.

Set contents: Two salt shakers, two pepper shakers, and original wooden stacking rack.

Soup Spoons

Introduced in 1958, the Pixieware Soup Spoons combined whimsical character design with everyday tableware. The set consists of four stainless-steel soup spoons, each topped with a ceramic pixie head representing a different variety of soup. The four characters correspond to Tomato Soup, Pea Soup, Chicken Soup, and Vegetable Soup, giving each spoon its own distinctive personality.

The ceramic heads were attached to stainless-steel spoon bases marked “Stainless Steel Japan.” Unlike most Pixieware pieces, the spoons carried paper labels rather than molded or stamped copyright markings. Holt-Howard advertised the set as whimsical spoons for serving “soup 'n stew 'n others too.”

Each pixie was individually designed to reflect its assigned soup. The Tomato Soup and Pea Soup characters appear to be licking their lips in anticipation, while the Vegetable Soup pixie features a striped carrot-shaped nose. The Chicken Soup pixie is distinguished by a yellow beak-like nose, giving the character a distinctly birdlike appearance. Together, the four spoons represent one of Holt-Howard's more playful interpretations of the Pixieware concept.

Dimensions: Approximately 6½ inches long overall; ceramic heads approximately 2¼ inches wide from ear to ear.

Cruet cork and spout assembly — Original cork and dispensing spout assembly used inside Sam and Sally cruets.

Sam 'n Sally Salad Cruet Set

Introduced in 1958, the Sam 'n Sally Salad Cruet Set served as Holt-Howard's Pixieware oil and vinegar pair. The matching cruets were designed as companion characters, with Sam labeled Vinegar and Sally labeled Oil. Sally's yellow hair complements the yellow stripes decorating her cruet, while Sam's green hair matches the green stripes on his. Together, they represent one of the most charming examples of Robert Howard's attention to character-driven design.

Holt-Howard advertising described the set as “a fun way to serve salad fixin's.” Both cruets were fitted with cork stoppers and dispensing spouts concealed beneath their pixie heads. Brass retaining collars at the neck secured the head and stopper assembly while allowing the contents to be poured cleanly. The original cork-and-spout assemblies are often missing from surviving examples today, making complete sets particularly desirable to collectors.

The original packaging further emphasized the playful relationship between the pair. In Holt-Howard's catalog, Sam's head was shown lifted above his cruet to reveal the dispensing spout, while Sally was captioned as saying, “don't lose your head, dear.” The original box, shown here, remains one of the more attractive examples of Pixieware packaging from the 1958 line.

Each cruet stands approximately 9 inches tall and holds about 1½ cups of liquid. The pair was sold together and is copyrighted 1958.

Dimensions: Approximately 9 inches tall; capacity approximately 1½ cups each.

From First Family to Expanding Universe

The 1958 Pixieware line established the essential ingredients that made Holt-Howard’s pixies so successful: expressive characters, practical serving pieces, clever packaging, and a strong sense of humor. With the foundation in place, Holt-Howard expanded the concept dramatically in 1959, adding new jars, serving dishes, barware, and specialty pieces that pushed Pixieware from a clever product line into a fully developed cast of characters.