Hobbies And Interests
Most Popular
The Apple, Desert Rose, Ivy and Starburst patterns are regarded as being the most popular patterns and remained so from their inception to the present day. The first three are considered the most recognizable of the 147 earthenware patterns bearing the Franciscan Ware name. Gladding, McBean &Co. left the dinnerware market and Franciscan Ware production was continued under the Wedgewood brand, which subsequently became Waterford Wedgewood. Production was moved to the U.K. in 1984. Collectors prefer Franciscan Ware patterns bearing the "Made in the U.S.A." mark.
1930s Patterns
The first Franciscan Ware appeared on the market in 1934. A representative list of patterns for the 1930s tableware collection includes El Patio, Cielito, Cocinero, El Pueblo Nuevo, Capistrano, Coronado, Monticello, Mango, Fruit, Hawthorn, and Hotelware. The very earliest designs exhibited a strong Southwestern influence and highly-saturated strong colors in their glazes. El Patio is considered to be the first design, and can be found with both glossy and matte glazes.
1940s Patterns
The 1940s were a time of movement away from the highly naturalistic motifs in earthenware of previous decades. Franciscan Ware patterns remained close to their nature-based roots but with more stylized touches. The highly popular Apple pattern began production in 1940, followed by the all-time favorite Desert Rose design in 1941. This generation's changing tastes were reflected in 1948's Ivy design, which featured asymmetric shapes more in keeping with modern trends that continued into the 1950s.
1950s &1960s
Franciscan Ware patterns and names began changing to reflect the metamorphosis in American culture. Traditional themes gave way to futuristic motifs. The seminal Ivy pattern launched in 1948 was a foreshadowing of the more fluid shapes and bold colors to come. The Franciscan Ware line scored a major coup with its product placement of the Starburst pattern in the "I Love Lucy" television comedy. It continues to be a favorite of collectors. Other popular designs from this period include Duet, Autumn Oasis, and Spice.
1970s &1980s
American pottery and dinnerware companies faced stiff competition after the entry of Japan into the world market. Franciscan Ware continued meeting the challenge by developing forward-looking patterns such as Madeira and Picnic. The company also shifted some operations to Japan to produce Whiteware and Cosmopolitan lines, hoping to compete in the emerging global economy. By 1984, production of Franciscan Ware had ceased in the United States. Dinnerware made abroad after that year is of lesser value to collectors.