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Fiesta Ware

Meredith Davies-Long - 3pm September 11 at the Hertford Academy

The most popular American dinnerware ever, designed by the Englishman, Frederick Hurten Rhead, was introduced to the American public in 1936 by the Homer Laughlin Pottery Company of Newell, West Virginia. Rhead's original Fiesta ware line roared through production for a little more than twenty years before it was modified, reduced and eventually discontinued by the end of 1972.

Rhead's Fiesta pottery line would continue to be produced for almost 25 years until it was restyled in 1959 and replaced with Fiesta Ironstone which was discontinued in 1973. Fiesta dinnerware was reintroduced in 1986 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, with many new pieces and some familiar faces. Although post-'86 Fiesta ware has its own strong following, the Vintage Fiesta pottery that more or less drew to a close near the beginning of the 60s was of a whole different caliber.

Fiesta ware was originally introduced in just 5 colors, Red (it may look orange, but everyone seems to have agreed to keep with its original name of "red"), Blue (cobalt now), Green (light or original green), Yellow and Old Ivory (simply ivory now), with Turquoise not hitting the shelves until 1937.
 
Fiesta ware was discontinued in 1972 but brought back to life in 1986. The contemporary Fiesta ware line offers a variety of colors and pieces and continues to gain popularity among many generations. The post-1986 collection now offers 14 different colors.
 
Fiesta ware was originally designed in the post-depression era as an inexpensive dinnerware marketed towards middle class, working families.

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