Sierra-Columbia has a history that is unique in all of ceramics. Located on Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena, California, Sierra-Columbia was established around 1950 by Filmore C. Levy, who had previously been in the business of scissors manufacture. Mr. Levy determined that ceramics would be a more profitable enterprise, and the factory was converted to the production of various pottery items. A clever use of tin scraps leftover from scissors production was implemented, resulting in the metal bases for planters and TV lamps. Once the nature of their manufacture is understood, a scissors-shaped decoration can be clearly seen on many of their products, done in such a way as to completely disguise their origin. Sierra-Columbia also sold lazy susans and numerous ashtrays, often embossed with advertising for Lucky Strike and other tobacco companies.
In 1957-58 a kiln explosion resulted an all-consuming fire that put an end to the company after less than a decade of production. Levy later manufactured pottery under the name Mark-Charles, but this company was active only briefly, perhaps a couple of years.  Filmore Levy passed away in 1962.  Many thanks must go to to Mark J. Levy for sharing the background of his father's company.

	value:  rarity: This planter/lamp by Sierra-Columbia is a fine example of one of their "scissors" designs. The pattern cut into the metal base was actually made from a leftover piece from scissors manufacturing!
	Back view.
	This close-up shows the Sierra-Columbia paper label.
	value:  rarity: When designing their TV lamp/planter Sierra-Columbia followed a style that was frequently used by various manufacturers. Photos courtesy of A. Gribbin of Creston, British Columbia.
	Potteries often made TV lamps available with matching planters, but they've usually parted ways long ago.
	The metal base wears the UL sticker that shows Sierra-Columbia as its point of origin. In spite of the Los Angeles reference, they were in fact located in Pasadena.
	value:  rarity: Another "scissors" planter/lamp from Sierra-Columbia!
	Back view.
	Close-up of the UL/Sierra-Columbia label.
	value:  rarity: Sierra-Columbia also made an unknown number of designs that included figurines, such as this planter/lamp with an oriental woman. Photos courtesy of eBay seller byusales.
	Close-up figurine.
	The various components separated.