Fiesta Dinnerware - An American Classic

Some people gamble, others smoke and drink to excess. I collect dishes.

My addiction dates back to the mid-90s when my husband decided we needed new dishes. We had combined two households and didn't really have enough of any one kind of dishes to make a matching set. I discovered Fiesta ware, and it was love at first sight.

As stated on Homer Laughlin China Company's official website, Fiesta dishes were first produced in 1936. Frederick Hurton Rhead was the line's designer. The product was discontinued in 1973 and reissued in 1986 to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Fiesta's art deco styling featuring concentric bands on the rims, bases and lids quickly became immediately popular with budget-conscious homemakers. An early 24-piece service for four was sold for $11 and a 72-piece service for 12 was priced at $32.

The Fiesta ware of today is still affordable with a 5-piece place setting available at department stores (including Macy's) for $20 to $25.

Fiesta is the most collected china in the U.S. and one of the most collected in the world. It also "tops bridal registries as the must-have in the everyday dinnerware category" according to Homer Laughlin's website.

Fiesta dishes were originally produced in just five colors: red (actually orange in color), cobalt (dark blue), a medium green and ivory. Turquoise was added to the Fiesta color family in 1937.

Today Fiesta is available in 15 bold colors which can be mixed and matched to evoke many moods and match almost any decorating scheme.

My original purchase included contemporary Fiesta dishes in turquoise, seafoam green, periwinkle blue. Over the past decade or so, I have expanded my collection to include cobalt blue, juniper green (now discontinued), cinnabar red (burgundy) and peacock (a bright turquoise color). In addition to these colors, I have several serving pieces in tangerine and sunflower yellow.

For the holidays, I have white holiday bowls and salad plates in a special Fiesta holiday design. The design features vintage-look multi-color Christmas lights which coordinate with all the Fiesta colors.

Vintage Fiesta often makes its way to second-hand stores, antique shops and flea markets, and I have procured several original Fiesta pieces which I often display in my kitchen and dining area.

As my sickness reached new levels and my collection grew, I divided my Fiesta dishes into two sets with the turquoise, blue and green dishes serving as my "summer" dishes and the cobalt, juniper and cinnabar dishes pressed into service as my "winter" set.

I hope that one day the dishes will become a family heirloom or at least bring a decent price at auction if no one in my family wants to claim them.

In the meantime, I enjoy the beautiful colors and art deco styling of my Fiesta dinnerware on a daily basis. The dishes make every meal a special occasion.

Source: Homer Laughlin China Company - www.hlchina.com