{"id":4269,"date":"2019-10-14T11:04:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T17:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/?p=4269"},"modified":"2019-10-28T09:22:46","modified_gmt":"2019-10-28T15:22:46","slug":"the-complete-guide-to-fiesta-ceramics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/thegoods\/the-complete-guide-to-fiesta-ceramics","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to Fiesta Ceramics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A 1950s set of Fiestware in Medium Green, Light Green and Chartreuse. Image courtesy of TheShopAtCAC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When it comes to dinnerware, Fiesta is a household name amongst the likes of Pyrex<\/a> and Fire King<\/a>. The company\u2019s tagline says it all: \u201cAn American Icon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiesta dinnerware, sometimes called Fiestware, is made by the Homer Laughlin China Company. The solid-colored, heavy-duty pottery has been manufactured in a wide array of colors and styles. \u201cVintage Fiesta was created around the depression era and was made in bright, uplifting colors to appeal to people and lift spirits,\u201d says Jessica B. of <\/span>JessiesVintageDishes<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vintage Fiestware was made in solid, bright colors. Image courtesy of House of Helleman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone has different reasons for seeking out and purchasing Fiesta pottery. Many people, like Sharon Wilkes of <\/span>Mom’s Curio Cabinet<\/span><\/a>, love it for the fun colors and heaviness. \u201cI love all the mix-and-match colors,\u201d says Wilkes, \u201cbut more than that, they\u2019re so sturdy! My kids have broken everything in the cabinet except my Fiestaware.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Others see the pottery as a purely economic hobby\u2014some rare, individual pieces can sell for thousands of dollars<\/a>! Many older colors and styles were discontinued and some were only manufactured for a short period of time. This makes vintage Fiesta dinnerware a highly collectible niche.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The History of Fiesta Ceramic Dinnerware<\/span><\/h1>\n
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Fiesta pottery has a long and storied history.
Image courtesy of House of Helleman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fiesta started in 1871 when brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin partnered to sell pottery made in factories in their hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio. The Laughlin Brothers were successful, but in 1876 Shakespeare decided to pursue different interests. The other brother took over alone and renamed the venture \u201cHomer Laughlin China Works.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Creator of Fiesta Dinnerware<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 1897, Homer sold the company to two business partners, William Wells and Louis Aaron. In the early 1900s, these partners expanded by building a factory across the Ohio River in what would eventually become Newell, West Virginia. When the Newell factory was built it was the largest pottery plant in the world, with a capacity to produce 300,000 pieces daily. The company continued to flourish and, in 1927, second generation potter Frederick Hurten Rhead was hired as the design director for the Homer Laughlin China Company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Fiesta line of dinnerware was introduced to the public in 1936. Image courtesy of House of Helleman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was a turning point for the company because Rhead was the creator of the Fiesta collection. In 1936, the company introduced Fiesta dinnerware to the American public at the Pittsburgh China & Glass Show. The collection was so popular that more than a million pieces were produced by the second year of manufacturing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Original Fiesta Colors<\/span><\/h2>\n

The original five Fiesta colors were Green, Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Red and Ivory. A year after the Fiesta line debuted, the company added a sixth color: turquoise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This bright red was one of the older original colors of the Fiesta line. Image courtesy of House of Helleman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Part of how the company achieved its bright coloring was with uranium dye, which they no longer use. This history is what interests Mark and Sarah Hellevang, owners of <\/span>House of Hellemann LLC<\/span>. \u201cThe uranium in the dyes gave the old colors a brilliance that just doesn’t seem to be the case with the new versions,\u201d says Mark. \u201cAlso, as the time has gone on, those colors have changed which is really neat to see. My favorite is the atomic Red. although all of the old pieces have some sort of usage of the uranium, the red specifically has a color that just looks so radioactive. The modern red is closer to a hot-wheels track orange now, but still has a great vibrant color to it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This tea cup and saucer are glazed in the original Fiesta cobalt. Image courtesy of Vintage1932.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Original Fiesta Shapes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rhead\u2019s initial design of Fiesta pottery featured Art Deco influences and the widening concentric circles that are still an identifying feature of true Fiesta ware. The first line of Fiesta pottery featured 34 different pieces, including pots, pitchers, bowls, plates, candle holders, vases and trays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The first line of Fiesta pottery featured 34 different pieces. Image courtesy of House of Helleman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some changes to this original line-up happened quite quickly:<\/span><\/p>\n