Ranch Brand trivets by Virginia Metalcrafters (Loth)

A complete collection of 12 Ranch Brand trivets.

The W. J. Loth Stove Company of Waynesboro, Virginia was founded in 1890. They produced parlor and cook stoves until 1938, when they sold that division and began making cast iron and brass accent pieces under the name Virginia Metalcrafters.

Twelve “Ranch Brand” trivets were produced in 1952 as part of Loth’s Virginia Metalcrafters giftware line. Each was marked with its brand name, stock number, the VM logo, and the signature HB for designer Horace Burns.

The Ranch Brand trivets were created in cast iron and average 4 1/2″ to 6″ in size. The following description is from the black and white brochure shared below.

Out of our nation’s heritage comes the motif of the VM Ranch Brand Trivet which is now a colorful addition to your trivet collection.

Symbols of one of the most romantic phases in the making of the West – brands were used to identify the ownership of cattle and horses in the days before fencing was common. Forgeries through brand-changing resulted in serious trouble, lending additional color to our lore of the West.

In the West of today, branding is still common, and Fall and Spring roundups are important occasions as this early-day custom is reenacted. Now, wishing bring these Heirlooms of the past to your home, we have created a series of handsome trivets, inspired by famous old Ranch brands.

Practical – as stands or supports for hot dishes or potted plants, Ranch Brand Trivets serve also as quaint and unusual wall decorations, echoing the motif of Western or ranch-style homes.

Charles Murray Eckman purchased the Virginia Metalcrafters giftware line from Loth in 1953, changing the name of his new company to Virginia Metalcrafters, Incorporated. Pattern designer Horace Randolph Burns was hired by Virginia Metalcrafters in 1946 and stayed after the sale of the company to Eckman, continuing to design trivets for a total of eighteen years.

The images in this blog post are courtesy of Bill Eckman, son of the late Charles Eckman. For more information see Celebrating the past and future of Virginia Metalcrafters.

Gallery

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