Speaking of Antiquing – June 2018

Time after time, we get calls here at the shop from people asking us to sell sets of dishes owned by a relative. While we sometimes buy, a determining factor in doing so is, “what is it you’re trying to sell?” If it’s Nippon, Limoges, Spode, or Noritake, they’re lovely but they’ll sit on the shelves a bit too long. Recently, however, sets of Franciscan Ware have flown out the door.

The time-honored, hand-painted Apple pattern of the 1940’s, the lovely Desert Rose, and the beautiful Ivy have been Franciscan Ware’s greatest sellers. In 1964, Franciscan had produced 600,000 pieces of Desert Rose. Hardly a day goes by without a customer saying that their mother or grandmother had one of the patterns. Apple pattern was unique and featured the stems of the tree around the rim of the dish, with the leaves and fruit flowing over the edges. The branches created the handles on the cups and pitchers. The Desert Rose was a soft, pink wild rose growing similarly around the rim.

Gladding-McBean began in Lincoln, California in the late 1800’s, producing water pipes. Finding the clay of Placer County perfect for their style of pottery, they began making pottery in the 1920’s. The company later moved to Glendale, California, where it purchased Tropico Potteries, Inc., and with experimentation, created a glaze that prevented crazing when fired at low heat.

The Gladding-McBean Franciscan Company of Southern California began producing high-quality casual china lines in the 1930’s that were monochromatic, durable and popular. Their marketing targeted brides with four-piece settings.

In 1936, Gladding-McBean changed the name of Franciscan Pottery to Franciscan Ware as homage to the California missions. In the 1940’s, Gladding-McBean produced high quality china under the names of Masterpiece China and Franciscan China, later called Franciscan Fine China.

In the post-war 1950’s, Franciscan Ware’s most popular decaled pattern was Starburst, followed by Oasis, with atomic, mid-century modern appeal that make collectors dig deep into their pockets. The Starburst pattern has an off-round, unique shape to the plates.

Franciscan Ware, as well as most pottery, can be dated by the marks. In 1953, Oven Safe was added to the marks. Microwave Safe was then added in the mid 1970’s. There are literally hundreds of Franciscan patterns, from simple to detailed, floral to fruit, geometrics to pastoral. Some are thin and elegant, some thick and heavy. All are beautiful and fun to use!

From 1962 to the 1980’s, Gladding Mc-Bean, having merged with Interspace, produced inexpensive ceramics in Japan. In 1979, Wedgewood Limited renamed the Glendale, California plant Franciscan Ceramics, Inc. In 1984, the Glendale plant closed and Franciscan production was moved to England.

At Pickety Place, we feature at least seven Franciscan Ware patterns at this time. Sets and pieces come and go, so be sure to come see us soon!