A guide to buying Fiestaware plates

Fiestaware was created by a Stoke-on-Trent potter named Frederick Hurton Rhead and was introduced at the 1935 Pottery and Glass show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Homer Laughlin China Company (HLC). The dining ware was an instant hit. It even attracted the attention of Frank Lloyd Wright, who used it in the 1950s Zimmerman House (Manchester, New Hampshire). While the company stopped issuing the original line Fiestaware line in 1972, they reintroduced a new line in 1982.

1930s

The vintage Fiestaware, distinguished by narrowing, concentric circles, had 34 pieces. They came in red, cobalt blue, ivory, green and yellow. They included a coffeepot, a large teapot, an ice pitcher, a demitasse pot, a bud vase, a carafe, a stick-handled creamer, bulb and tripod candle holders, 13 and 15 inch chop plates, salt and pepper shakers, a sweet compote, 10 and 12 inch divided plates, 6, 7, 9 and 10 inch dinner plates, demitasse cups and saucers, a teacup and saucer, a 6-inch dessert plate, an ashtray, a-5 inch fruit bowl, a footed salad bowl, covered casserole, a set of seven mixing bowls, a cream soup bowl, a relish tray, a covered onion soup bowl, a-12 inch comport, and 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 inch nappies. Pieces added Egg cups, sauce boat, deep plates, covered casseroles, Tom and Jerry mugs, marmalade, mustard, two pint jugs, utility trays, 12 inch oval platters, 11 inch fruit bowls, 8, 10 and 12 inch vases, bowl lids, a ring-handled creamer and a 60-ounce disc water pitcher were added. The colour turquoise was added in 1937. Discontinued pieces In 1937, the 12 inch divided plate, stick-handled blender and covered onion soup dish were discontinued.

1940s to 1950s

A juice set, including a yellow 30 ounce disc jug, and tumblers in yellow, green, turquoise, red, blue and ivory was introduced. Discontinued pieces The tripod candle holders, 10 and 12 inch vases, stick-handled demitasse coffeepot,the colours red, cobalt and ivory, the footed salad bowl, the 11 1/2 inch fruit bowl, the bulb candle holders, the bud vase, carafe, 12 inch and sweet compote, mustard and marmalade, ice pitcher, relish tray, 9 1/2 inch nappy, large teapot, utility tray, 10 ounce tumbler, and the 8 inch vase, were discontinued.

1950s

The juice set was reintroduced, with a grey pitcher and dark green, yellow, chartreuse and sometimes rose tumblers. Colours added Dark green, red and medium green were introduced.

1960s

Ironstone was added in 1969. The original line was restyled. Pieces dropped The 6 inch dessert bowl ended.

1970s

Ironstone included gold, mango red and turf green. In 1973, the company reintroduced the original line and added new pieces.