Information of Fiestaware

Fiestaware was designed by Frederick Hurton Rhead in 1936, and is among the most collected china products in the world. It is shill manufactured as originally designed, with art deco styling and comes a wide array of bold & bright colors. The product was discontinued in 1973 reissued in 1986 with new contemporary fashion colors to mark its 50th anniversary.

The Homer Laughlin China Company of Newell, West Virginia manufactured Fiesta dinnerware from the middle of the 1930s until 1973. After a hiatus of about 12 years, Fiesta was once again produced and is still being produced today in the colors which have become so popular and with the durability for which Fiesta is known. Homer Laughlin began as Laughlin Brothers pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1871. They were first known for making "whiteware", a type of pottery which turned a brilliant white when fired and for which the local Ohio clay was particularly well suited. This dinnerware was sold primarily to restaurants and hotels as an inexpensive but attractive substitute for more expensive china. The Homer Laughlin China Company was incorporated in 1886 although Homer left the company very soon thereafter and turned management over to others.

The company hired Frederick Rhead, a highly regarded Englishman, as the artistic director, and he created streamlined Art Deco designs which immediately resonated with the public as Fiesta introduced about 1936. In keeping with the Art Deco design aesthetic, the simplicity of the geometric shapes and the use of bold colors were welcomed after the excesses of the Victorian and Art Nouveau periods. Furthermore, Fiesta was introduced at a price that made such design affordable to the mass market. The production included over 30 items including plates, bowls, teapots, cups and saucers, trays, etc. Additional and more specialty items were added soon thereafter such as egg cups and vases.

Fiestaware was marketed by playing on the images of Mexican "fiestas" and the phrase "The dinnerware that turns your table into a celebration" was born as a marketing slogan. Eleven different Fiesta colors were introduced between 1936 and 1959, starting with red (made from depleted uranium oxide), medium green, cobalt blue, yellow, and ivory and, followed by turquoise in 1938, gray and light green in 1943, and forest green, chartreuse, and rose in 1951. While new colors were added thereafter and some colors were retired, Fiesta remained very consistent in both styling and in the bold use of color.

While Fiestaware is still made today, collectors seek out the original production which can be identified by the marks on the pieces. Fiestaware is actively copied, so one much be careful of reproductions or similar wares made by other companies. Since about 1940, Homer Laughlin also marked all of their production with the mark "Genuine". It should also be noted that some smaller, genuine Fiesta items may not have any markings whatsoever such as salt and pepper shakers. Be careful to look at the detailing and quality, and especially the spacing of the circles which on genuine Fiestaware should narrow progressively. Fiestaware's products are available here. Please purchase on online www.etabletop.com