A HISTORY OF FIESTAWARE

This celebrated American dinnerware is as popular today as it was when it was first created. Not only is newly made Fiestaware very popular and collectible, but so are the old pieces. It never goes out of style. The fact that it’s readily available, both the old and the new, adds to its popularity.  

Fiestaware was first produced in 1936 by the Homer Laughlin China Company in Newell, WV (Fiesta (dinnerware) 1). Fiestaware was designed by the company’s art director Frederick Rhead. Frederick Rhead was a well known English potter. Fiestaware’s design was influenced by the art deco movement which was very popular at that time (Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 1). The simplicity of the design, with its concentric circles near the edge and featuring bright colors and affordable prices, made it an instant success (Fiestaware History 1).  

Fiestaware was introduced in 1936 at the Pittsburgh Pottery and Glass Show. Fiestaware included 55 pieces in five colors. The original colors were ivory, yellow, light green, red, and cobalt blue. A sixth color, turquoise was added in 1937. These six colors are often referred to as the original six colors (Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 1-2).  While Fiestaware was not the first solid color dinnerware in the United States, it was the first mass produced and marketed solid color dinnerware (Fiesta (dinnerware) 2). Naturally, the early colors are considered more valuable by collectors.  

At the time of its introduction, most dinnerware was sold as predetermined sets all decorated with the same design which was usually decaled onto the dinnerware. Fiestaware changed all this with its bright colors, art deco inspired design, and open stock sales approach. While Homer Laughlin did offer basic table service sets for four, six and eight persons, the open stock concept was its main marketing scheme (Fiesta (dinnerware) 2).  

In 1943, red had to be eliminated as a color. The red color contained uranium in the glaze which gave it the vibrant red color. Unfortunately, the government required all the uranium it could get its hands on for the war effort so the red color was discontinued (Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 2).  

A series of promotions, with promotional pieces, were offered by Homer Laughlin between 1939 and 1943 to promote sales. The pieces that were part of these promotions are scarce. Only the yellow disk juice pitcher is relatively common. Other promotional pieces include the French casserole, figure 8 set, and a set which included the promotional casserole and a pie plate (Fiestaware History 1).  

During World War II, the Fiestaware line began to be reduced. Less demand and the need to focus on production resulted in the line of items available to be reduced by a third. The more unusual pieces serving pieces were discontinued. The sales of the more typical place setting pieces remained strong and did not peak until 1948 (Fiesta (dinnerware) 2).  

By 1951 four more colors were added. The newly added colors were grey, rose, chartreuse, and forest green. In 1951, cobalt, light green, and ivory were eliminated. Only yellow and turquoise remained of the original six colors (Fiestaware History 1-2).  

These colors were produced until 1959 when the last color change occurred. The fifties color were dropped and red came back. Also, a new medium green was added. Yellow and turquoise remained. Only yellow remained through the entire life of Fiestaware. Turquoise, which began production in 1937, also lasted the entire run (Fiesta (dinnerware) 3).  

The first major change in Fiestaware occurred in 1969, when Homer Laughlin tried to modernize the color choices to a more earth tone palette and changed the shape slightly. This new design was called Fiesta Ironstone. By 1969, tastes had changed and Fiestaware was changed to try to modernize it (Fiesta (dinnerware) 4).  

The red was renamed mango red. Yellow, turquoise, and medium green were replaced by turf green and antique gold which matched the then popular harvest gold color (Fiesta (dinnerware) 4). The changes in Fiestaware did not meet with success and after four years, in 1973, Homer Laughlin discontinued Fiestaware entirely.   

During the 70’s a new appreciation for the art deco style and Fiestaware flourished. Collectors began buying Fiestaware at auctions, second hand stores, and a newly popular forum called the “garage sale” (Fiesta (dinnerware) 5). Due to its new popularity, the price of Fiestaware skyrocketed. 

In 1986, in celebration of Homer Laughlin’s 100^th anniversary, and the 50^th anniversary of Fiestaware, and due to the popularity of Fiestaware on the secondary market, the company began producing Fiestaware again (Fiesta (dinnerware 5; Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 2). The new Fiestaware is stronger and heavier than its predecessor and has a slightly different shape. Other new shapes were designed as part of the reintroduction by Jonathon Parry who became the art director for Homer Laughlin in 1984 (Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 2; Fiesta (dinnerware) 1).  

Like its forerunner, in comes in a variety of bright colors. Fiestaware is sold as a line of open stock dinnerware which allows buyers to mix and match pieces and colors. The dinnerware continues to be brightly colored and affordable which is still much of its appeal. The new Fiestaware was initially offered in five colors, rose, black, cobalt, white and apricot. Homer Laughlin has produced the new Fiestaware in 26 different colors none of which match any of the thirteen colors of vintage Fiestaware. Fiestaware has also introduced special edition colors such as sapphire which was sold exclusively at Bloomingdale’s (Fiesta (dinnerware) 1 and 5-6).

As often happens with many dinnerware shapes and styles, the manufacturer will add different decals to the various shapes and give them new names. Fiestaware was no different. The Fiestaware shapes were often decorated with decals and marketed under other names. One such style was “Fiesta Casuals” which consisted of two patterns, one being yellow with brown florals accented with solid color Fiestaware turquoise. In the 1960’s Homer Laughlin marketed “Amberstone” which was a similar concept to “Fiesta Casuals” (Fiesta (dinnerware) 4-5).  

Because of its popularity, many manufacturers have issued imitations that are nearly identical to the original. Not all Fiestaware has a label, so to tell the originals from the knock offs, examine the concentric circles. On real Fiestaware, the rings get closer together. On the imitations, they are evenly spaced (Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned 2).   

Today the popularity of Fiestaware is as strong as ever. Instead of fine china, engaged couples are now registering for Fiestaware. Some like to have pieces all the same color. Some like the eclectic look and incorporate many colors in their table settings. There is no right or wrong way. Fiestaware also comes in specialty pieces and designs for holidays, such as a pumpkin face, or for summers with watermelon seeds incorporated into the design.  

To summarize, Fiestaware has had a rich history with the usual ups and downs. The one thing that is clear, it also has a very bright future.

Works Cited  

Fiestaware History-America’s Favorite Dinnerware. “Fiestaware Collector.”

            http://www.madeintheusadinnerware.com/history.htm

Fiestaware’s Hot, So Don’t Get Burned. “OldAndSold Antiques Auction & Market”.

            http://www.oldandsold.com/articles/article063.shtml

Wallace, Gretta. History of Fiestaware.  “Articlesbase”.

            <http://www.articlesbase.com/news-and-society-articles/history-of-fiestaware-

            1487428.html> 

Fiesta (dinnerware).  “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia“.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiesta_(dinnerware)