A HISTORY OF FIESTAWARE
This iconic 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
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
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 100th
anniversary, and the 50th 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.”
Fiestaware’s Hot, So
Don’t Get Burned. “OldAndSold Antiques Auction & Market”.
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“.
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