Franciscan China & Pottery — by Guest Mom Kyran
If a vintage tea cup or dinner plate especially appeals to me, nine times out of ten when i turn it over, the stamp reads "Franciscan."
Many people are familiar with the company's ubiquitously collected "Desert Rose" pattern. I don't care for it, myself. Nor for the "Ivy" pattern, nor many of the other heavy, hand-painted earthenware patterns that the company became famous for, beginning in the thirties. Probably most of you have seen either the green or gold "Hacienda"
pattern from the seventies. I have an oval platter in the "Madiera" pattern from the same era, and like it enough to want to acquire more for casual dining. It has a definite California hippy vibe that makes me want to light mushroom shaped candles and address my husband as "my lovah."
But what many people don't know is that Franciscan also made fine china from the early 1940s to the 1960s. I fell madly in love with the 1942 "Westwood" pattern about five years ago after stumbling across it on ebay one day. This Christmas, I treated myself to eight immaculate dinner plates. I plan to fill out a full service for twelve. The china is light and almost translucent, the colors and floral motif are fresh and versatile, and its lines are simple but gracious, swinging easily between modern and traditional. It's the perfect "occasion" china for me: special but not fancy.
I picked up these coffee cups in a flea market. "Cloud Nine" pattern, Franciscan Whitestone, made in Japan, probably during the occupation. They have a clean, modern line. I must get my hands on a coffee pot; they're gorgeous.
Okay, this last one is not Franciscan, but I'm going to slide it in anyway. Just to defy absolutism. It's my very favorite serving bowl in a fabulous atomic-era pattern called "Simplicity" by Knowles. I have several other pieces in assorted starburst patterns, but this is the grooviest. I hum the Jetson's theme everytime I pull it off the shelf.
Well, that's it from me. It's always good to be here.
Thanks, Gabrielle, for having me back!
Many people are familiar with the company's ubiquitously collected "Desert Rose" pattern. I don't care for it, myself. Nor for the "Ivy" pattern, nor many of the other heavy, hand-painted earthenware patterns that the company became famous for, beginning in the thirties. Probably most of you have seen either the green or gold "Hacienda"
pattern from the seventies. I have an oval platter in the "Madiera" pattern from the same era, and like it enough to want to acquire more for casual dining. It has a definite California hippy vibe that makes me want to light mushroom shaped candles and address my husband as "my lovah."
But what many people don't know is that Franciscan also made fine china from the early 1940s to the 1960s. I fell madly in love with the 1942 "Westwood" pattern about five years ago after stumbling across it on ebay one day. This Christmas, I treated myself to eight immaculate dinner plates. I plan to fill out a full service for twelve. The china is light and almost translucent, the colors and floral motif are fresh and versatile, and its lines are simple but gracious, swinging easily between modern and traditional. It's the perfect "occasion" china for me: special but not fancy.
I picked up these coffee cups in a flea market. "Cloud Nine" pattern, Franciscan Whitestone, made in Japan, probably during the occupation. They have a clean, modern line. I must get my hands on a coffee pot; they're gorgeous.
Okay, this last one is not Franciscan, but I'm going to slide it in anyway. Just to defy absolutism. It's my very favorite serving bowl in a fabulous atomic-era pattern called "Simplicity" by Knowles. I have several other pieces in assorted starburst patterns, but this is the grooviest. I hum the Jetson's theme everytime I pull it off the shelf.
Well, that's it from me. It's always good to be here.
Thanks, Gabrielle, for having me back!
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Friday, February 08, 2008
4 Comments:
I have the Ballet pattern. The china is delicate, but not old fashioned.
Oh my goodness, that is my Mom's china - the delicate green leaf in the center, still going strong and looks good today. My Mom has been married for nearly 60 years! She has all the serving pieces and the gravy boat is amazing!
I grew up eating off the "madiera" set for Sunday dinners. My mom probably still has her set. Back then I thought it was ugly and ver 70's, but I guess that's before the 70's were cool.
My mom has Franciscan Starburst - a huge set. I have only a few pieces of fall leaves, and the odd serving tray/platter. I love the mod stuff so much! Thanks for featuring Franciscan - you brought back some good memories.
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